Artificial intelligence (ai) building emergency guidance and advisement system

ABSTRACT

The disclosed system can determine egress guidance during a building emergency using artificial intelligence (AI). The system can include sensors positioned throughout the building to detect building conditions and a computing system to determine egress guidance in the building. The computing system can perform operations including: receiving, from the sensors, information indicating the building conditions, detecting, based on processing the conditions, an emergency in the building, determining, based on applying AI techniques to the information, scenarios indicating potential spreads of the emergency, generating, based on the determined scenarios, egress guidance to assist users in safely egressing from the building. The egress guidance can include at least one egress strategy instructing the users to move along a pathway that avoids the emergency and the potential spreads of the emergency. The egress guidance can be returned for presentation to the users in the building to assist in safely avoiding the emergency.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/986,302, filed on Nov. 14, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 17/320,751, filed on May 14, 2021, now U.S.Pat. No. 11,501,621, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/903,331, filed on Jun. 16, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No.11,043,095, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document generally describes technology for safely guiding peopleout of a building during an emergency, such as a fire.

BACKGROUND

Fire districts strongly urge home and other building occupants to have afire escape plan. Plan recommendation includes taking stock of eachoccupant in the building and identifying multiple, safe, and quickescape pathways from each room in the building. Today, many homes andother buildings are constructed with composite materials rather thanreal wood. As a result, these new constructions are more likely to beengulfed in flames in less time. It is important that occupants in thebuilding know how to safely egress without chaotic scrambling before theentire building is in flames.

SUMMARY

This document generally describes technology for more safely guidingpeople out of buildings during emergencies, and for doing so in waysthat are more robust and adaptable to readily changing conditions duringan emergency. In particular, the disclosed technology provides buildingegress guidance in a way that not only takes into consideration currentconditions within a building, but also anticipates changes to thoseconditions during the period of time when people will be exiting thebuilding (or otherwise moving to safe locations within the building) soas to select egress pathways and strategies that will provide for safeegress during the entirety of the egress period. For instance, assumethat a fire starts in a living room of a house while a person issleeping in a bedroom and, at the time the fire is detected, egressthrough a front door of the house is available. However, simply guidingthe person to the front door may not be optimal because, by the time theperson moves from the bedroom to the front door, the fire may havespread to the front door, blocking the person's exit from the house andpotentially also blocking retreat and other exits. The disclosedtechnology leverages machine learning and/or artificial intelligence(AI) techniques to predict the spread of fire (and/or other emergencyconditions in a building) relative to the movement of people within abuilding in order to select egress pathways out of a building that willbe safe during the entire duration while a person exits a building orotherwise moves to safety. The use of machine learning and/or AItechniques makes the disclosed technology performance-based, which iscritical to ensure safety during a fire emergency. Rather than being aprescriptive approach, in which “one size fits all,” performance-basedtechniques allows for improved flexibility and adaptation to differentscenarios such that people are able to quickly and safely exit a burningbuilding in any scenario. The performance-based techniques andtechnology described throughout this disclosure address specifics ofeach building, such as room layout, potential fire paths, fire loads invarious zones, age and mobility of building occupants, and many otherconsiderations in order to create comprehensive assessments to safelyand quickly egress during a fire. Therefore, the disclosed technology isable to assess, both before a fire and in real-time, various firescenarios in differing situations and design fire safety plans based onany identified and/or predicted risks.

The disclosed technology uses signaling devices and sensors that aredistributed throughout a building in order to provide egress guidance topeople located in a building when an emergency occurs. Such signalingdevices can be located at or near doors, windows, and/or other junctionpoints between different parts of a building (e.g., passageways betweendifferent rooms). Signaling devices can provide audio and/or visualinformation to people to guide them along a safe pathway that isselected to provide safe egress for the person, including anticipatingand protecting the person from changing emergency conditions within thebuilding. For example, signaling devices can include lights that arepositioned at or near doorways and windows in a home, and that provide asimple visual cue (e.g., red light, green light) as to whether it issafe for a person to attempt egress through the doorway or window.Signaling devices can additionally and/or alternatively include speakersand/or other audio output devices that are capable of outputting audiocommands to people, such as directing the person to egress through thefront door or to egress through the window in the room. Other types andcombinations of outputs are also possible.

The signaling devices can be part of a network of devices in a buildingthat are designed to provide egress guidance to people in the building.The network of devices can include, for example, signaling devices, acontroller device, and sensors that are positioned throughout thebuilding. The controller device can receive information aboutenvironmental conditions in a building from the sensors, which may havewired and/or wireless communication pathways to the controller. Thecontroller device may determine current conditions in the building fromthese signals, and may distribute information about the currentconditions in the building to the signaling devices, which may use thatinformation to select egress strategies and provide egress guidance topeople located nearby. The signaling devices can be preconfigured withegress strategies that are predetermined by a server system (e.g., cloudbased computer system) based on simulations of emergency scenarios inthe building. For example, it may not be feasible or timely to simulateand predict the spread of a fire in a building when the fire isoccurring, which could lead to poor and potentially unsafe egressguidance to people in the building. To avoid this and maintain optimalegress guidance, the processing of simulations, predicted spread ofemergency situations, and resulting selection of egress strategies canbe time shifted so that it is processed (e.g., processed on a serversystem) before an emergency situation occurs. This preprocessing cangenerate egress strategies that map current conditions to particularegress guidance that takes into account predictions on the spread ofemergency conditions in the building. So during runtime, the currentconditions in the building can be fed into the predetermined egressstrategies to select an optimal egress pathway to use for guiding peopleout of the building, all without requiring the computational resourcesduring the emergency situation to predict the spread of the emergencycondition in the building and to simulate egress during those changingconditions. Signaling devices can be preloaded with these egressstrategies, which can be the result of an assessment of the building,its layout, and conditions, and predictive analytics surroundingemergency conditions in the building and egress simulations.

In addition to the system configuration described in the precedingparagraph, preloading signaling devices with egress strategies can alsopermit them to provide safe egress guidance independently andautonomously, and without dependence on the network being available orother devices to provide guidance. For example, during a fire somecomponents of an egress system may be destroyed. In a system where thesignaling device is dependent on other devices, such destruction ofegress system components could lead to a collapse of the system as awhole. In contrast, the disclosed technology permits for signalingdevices to receive environmental conditions from other devices (to theextent available, and in addition to making their own determinationsabout environmental conditions) and to act independently using thatinformation to provide egress guidance. Signaling devices canadditionally include their own backup power sources, so that they areable to continue operating in the event an external power source to thesignaling is unavailable. Such features can provide for a more robustsystem that is able to continue to provide safe and improved egressguidance to people in a building, and in a way that is not susceptibleto one or more components going down during an emergency.

In some implementations, a system includes an egress modeling systemconfigured to determine egress strategies to be used to guide people outof a building during a fire. The egress modeling system is configuredto: receive a building layout for the building and user timinginformation for movement throughout the building; simulate, based on thebuilding layout and user timing information, fire scenarios in thebuilding; perform, based on the simulated fire scenarios, predictiveanalytics to determine an ability of a user to safely egress from aplurality of locations in the building; generate, based on the simulatedfire scenarios and predictive analytics, egress strategies specific toeach of the plurality of locations in the building, each of the egressstrategies including multiple predetermined egress pathways for alocation and corresponding logic for selecting among the multiplepredetermined egress pathways based on current fire conditions withinthe building; generate, based on the modeled egress strategies,signaling instructions that are specific to each of the egressstrategies, each of the signaling instructions being configured tooutput instructions to guide a user to take a corresponding egresspathway to exit the building; and output the egress strategies andsignaling instructions. The system can further include signaling devicesthat are configured to be positioned at the plurality of locations inthe building. The signaling devices can include a wireless communicationinterface configured (i) to receive a particular egress strategy andparticular signaling instructions that are specific for the signalingdevice generated by the egress modeling system and (ii) to receiveinformation identifying current fire conditions in the building, whereinthe particular egress strategy includes a plurality of predeterminedegress pathways and particular logic of selecting among the plurality ofpredetermined egress pathways; a processor configured to use theparticular egress strategy to select a specific egress pathway fromamong the plurality of predetermined egress pathways based on theparticular logic and the current fire conditions in the building; and anoutput system configured to visually or audibly output instructions toexit the building using the selected egress pathway using particularsignaling instructions corresponding to the selected egress pathway.

Such a system can optionally include one or more of the followingfeatures. The egress modeling system can perform predictive analytics,including generating a plurality of fire simulations each with firesstarting at different parts of the building, determining, using theplurality of fire simulations and predictive analytics, simulated firespread times each identifying a length of time for the simulated fire tospread to other parts of the building for the plurality of firesimulations, determining, using the predetermined egress pathways andpredictive analytics, simulated user egress times each identifying alength of time for a user to egress the building from differentlocations in the building using the predetermined egress pathways, andselecting, using the simulated fire spread times and the simulated useregress times, predetermined egress pathways that permit for safe egressof the building from each of the different parts of the building in eachof the plurality of fire simulations. The processor of each of thesignaling devices can select a specific egress pathway from among theplurality of predetermined egress pathways including: receiving acurrent fire location, comparing the current fire location with theplurality of fire simulations to identify an associated simulated firespread time, determining, using the associated simulated fire spreadtime, the current fire location, and an associated simulated user egresstime, that a user can safely egress the building using a specific egresspathway, and selecting the specific egress pathway. The processor ofeach of the signaling devices can select a specific egress pathway fromamong the plurality of predetermined egress pathways including:receiving a temperature value at each location along each egresspathway, comparing the temperature value at each location along eachegress pathway with simulated user egress times at each location, anddetermining, based on the temperature value at each location being belowa predetermined value within the simulated user egress times, that aspecific egress pathway should be selected.

The user timing information can include information identifying howquickly the user can move in the building, the information being basedon at least one of empirical data including measurements of the buildinglayout, an age of the user, an agility level of the user, and adisability of the user. The current fire conditions in the building caninclude at least one of a fire temperature and a location of the fire.Visual output instructions can include LED lights that illuminate apathway to exit the building corresponding to the selected egresspathway. Each of the signaling devices can receive current fireconditions in the building from a plurality of sensors positioned in thebuilding. The plurality of sensors can be thermocouple heat sensors. Thewireless communication interface of each of the signaling devices can befurther configured to transmit, to a fire truck system, the selectedegress pathway.

In another implementation, a method to determine egress strategies to beused to guide people out of a building during a fire includes receiving,at an egress modeling system configured to determine egress strategiesto be used to guide people out of a building during a fire, a buildinglayout for the building and user timing information for movementthroughout the building, the building layout including signaling devicesthat are positioned at a plurality of locations in the building. Themethod can further include simulating, by the egress modeling systembased on the building layout and user timing information, fire scenariosin the building. The method can additionally include performing, by theegress modeling system based on the simulated fire scenarios, predictiveanalytics to determine an ability of a user to safely egress from theplurality of locations in the building. The method can also includegenerating, by the egress modeling system based on the simulated firescenarios and predictive analytics, egress strategies specific to eachof the signaling device at the plurality of locations in the building,each of the egress strategies including multiple predetermined egresspathways for a location and corresponding logic for selecting among themultiple predetermined egress pathways based on current fire conditionswithin the building. The method can further include generating, by theegress modeling system based on the modeled egress strategies, signalinginstructions that are specific to each of the egress strategies, each ofthe signaling instructions being configured to output instructions toguide a user to take a corresponding egress pathway to exit thebuilding. The method can additionally include outputting, by the egressmodeling system, the egress strategies and signaling instructions fordistribution to and use by the signaling devices during a fire.

Such a method can optionally include one or more of the followingfeatures. The predictive analytics can include generating a plurality offire simulations each with fires starting at different parts of thebuilding; determining, using the plurality of fire simulations andpredictive analytics, simulated fire spread times each identifying alength of time for the simulated fire to spread to other parts of thebuilding for the plurality of fire simulations; determining, using thepredetermined egress pathways and predictive analytics, simulated useregress times each identifying a length of time for a user to egress thebuilding from different locations in the building using thepredetermined egress pathways; and selecting, using the simulated firespread times and the simulated user egress times, predetermined egresspathways that permit for safe egress of the building from each of thedifferent parts of the building in each of the plurality of firesimulations. The egress strategies can be configured for each of thesignaling devices to select a specific egress pathway from among aplurality of predetermined egress pathways. The selection of thespecific egress pathway using the egress strategies can includereceiving, at one of the signaling devices, a current fire location;comparing, by the one of the signaling devices, the current firelocation with the plurality of fire simulations to identify anassociated simulated fire spread time; determining, by the one of thesignaling devices using the associated simulated fire spread time, thecurrent fire location, and an associated simulated user egress time,that a user can safely egress the building using a specific egresspathway; and selecting, by the one of the signaling devices, thespecific egress pathway. During a fire, the signaling devices can beconfigured to locally select from among the egress strategies andsignaling instructions based on one or more of (a) local sensor signalsfrom local sensors that are part of the signaling devices and (b) firelocation information transmitted wirelessly by one or more other deviceslocated in the building. The egress strategies can be configured topermit for local selection of the egress strategies and the signalinginstructions without involvement by or communication from the egressmodeling system.

In another implementation, a method for communicating an egress pathwayto a user during a fire includes, before a fire is occurring in abuilding: receiving, at a signaling device positioned at a particularlocation in the building, an egress strategy and signaling instructionsthat are specific to the signaling device at its particular location,wherein the egress strategy and signaling instructions are generated byan egress modeling system, wherein the egress strategy includes aplurality of predetermined egress pathways and logic of selecting amongthe plurality of predetermined egress pathways generated by the egressmodeling system; storing, by the signaling device, the egress strategyand the signaling instructions in local storage on the signaling device;and continually monitoring, by the signaling device, for informationidentifying fire conditions in the building. The method can furtherinclude, upon detection of the fire conditions in the building:receiving, at the signaling device, information identifying current fireconditions in the building; selecting, by the signaling device using thelocally stored egress strategy, a specific egress pathway from among theplurality of predetermined egress pathways based on the logic and thecurrent fire conditions in the building; and outputting, by an outputsystem that is part of the signaling device, visual or audible outputinstructions to exit the building using the selected egress pathwayusing a portion of the signaling instructions corresponding to theselected egress pathway.

Such a method can optionally include one or more of the followingfeatures. Selecting the specific egress pathway from among the pluralityof predetermined egress pathways can include receiving a current firelocation, comparing the current fire location with the plurality of firesimulations to identify an associated simulated fire spread time,determining, using the associated simulated fire spread time, thecurrent fire location, and an associated simulated user egress time,that a user can safely egress the building using a specific egresspathway, and selecting the specific egress pathway. The current firelocation can be determined based on communication from other signalingdevices located within the building. Selecting a specific egress pathwayfrom among the plurality of predetermined egress pathways can includereceiving a temperature value at each location along each egresspathway, comparing the temperature value at each location along eachegress pathway with simulated user egress times at each location, anddetermining, based on the temperature value at each location being belowa predetermined value within the simulated user egress times, that aspecific egress pathway should be selected. The specific egress pathwaycan be selected locally by the signaling device and without direction bythe egress modeling system.

The details of one or more implementations are depicted in theassociated drawings and the description thereof below. Certainimplementations may provide one or more advantages. For example, egressstrategies can be automatically generated and used in an emergency, suchas a fire, even if occupants have not previously generated or addressedsuch egress strategies. These egress strategies can be generated bytaking into consideration information pertaining to the occupants of abuilding, such as how quickly each of the occupants can egress from anyparticular room in the building, information about the building itself,such as a layout and/or floorplan, and other information, such as howfast a fire in any particular part of the building can grow, change intemperature, and spread to other parts of the building. Thus, egressstrategies can be modeled using fire scenario simulations, predictiveanalytics, and some artificial intelligence in order to determine aplurality of the most optimal, safe, and non-chaotic pathways/routes outof the building during an emergency.

Dynamic egress guidance can also be provided that is based on real-timesituational information about fire conditions within the building.Real-time information about a current fire condition can be exchangedbetween signaling devices located within the building such that eachsignaling device can evaluate a list of predicted egress strategies,select an optimal egress strategy, and instruct users in the buildingabout which directions to take to safely exit the building before it isentirely engulfed in flames. The egress guidance can be audio and/orvisual output, depending on the particular needs of any of the occupantsin the building and/or depending on what devices and/or technology areinstalled in the building.

The features described herein can advantageously aid occupants inescaping the building during an emergency in a non-chaotic, productivefashion. During a fire, an occupant's thought process can be chaotic,but since the disclosed technology provides real-time guidance that isbased in large on pre-analyzed scenarios, chaotic thoughts andirrational determinations by the occupant(s) can be avoided.Consequently, the described features ensure the occupants' safety and anon-chaotic, safe exit from the burning building. Moreover, thedisclosed implementations can optimally provide for none or only oneegress course correction in guiding occupants to safety during a fire.

The disclosed technology and techniques can further provide advantagesin data analytics and improvement of the overall technology and/ortechniques. Data collected and used by the disclosed technology can bebeneficial to improve a design and techniques of the disclosedtechnology. The collected data can also be beneficial to variousstakeholders, including but not limited to firefighters, fire safetyengineers, home builders, the insurance industry, and municipalities.For example, firefighters can use the collected data to improve theirtraining to better save people from fires, prevent fires from spreadingto nearby buildings, and/or save the firefighters' lives. Otherfeatures, objects, and advantages of the technology described in thisdocument will be apparent from the description and the drawings, andfrom the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an example system for predicting safeegress strategies out of a building and selecting an optimal egressstrategy during an emergency.

FIG. 2 is an example system diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 3A-C are conceptual diagrams of a building floor map withpredicted egress strategies that are used to instruct occupants in thebuilding about how to safely exit during an emergency.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of yet another example floor map forwhich a predicted egress strategy is selected and used during anemergency.

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of an example technique for predicting egressstrategies and selecting the optimal egress strategy during anemergency.

FIG. 6 is an example apparatus for providing emergency guidance andadvisement.

FIG. 7 is another example apparatus for providing emergency guidance andadvisement.

FIGS. 8A-B depict exemplary systems for providing emergency guidance andadvisement.

FIG. 9 depicts four time-temperature curves as a function of time forvarious values of T₁.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed system enables the safe egress of occupants in a home orother building in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Thedisclosed system can be extended to apply to non-residential buildingsthat are three to four stories, including but not limited to schools,office and retail buildings, and other limited scale buildings.Predictive analytics are incorporated into this system to guideoccupants to safely egress without creating false starts andunproductive, chaotic scrambling on the way to safety.

Since modern homes are built by using more composite materials, thehomes can go up in flames much faster than traditional homes that arebuilt from wood. Simulating fire scenarios, predicting occupants'ability to escape the simulated fire scenarios, and modeling possibleegress strategies then selecting an optimal egress strategy in real-timebased on current conditions of a fire in the home are critical steps tominimize the need for any course corrections during the egress process.As a result, occupants can exit as quickly and calmly as possible beforethe home is engulfed entirely in flames. A goal of the disclosed systemis that none or only one course correction may be necessary to guideoccupants to safety.

As mentioned, modern/newer construction homes are more likely to reachfull flame engulfment in less time than older constructions, based onthe materials used to build the homes. For example, it may take a newconstruction only 3½ minutes to reach full flame engulfment while anolder home may reach full flame engulfment in 15 minutes. Given acompressed 3½ minute to 5 minute time frame in modern homes from when afire starts to the point that the flames engulf the entire structure,the guiding outputs of the disclosed system to occupants are designed tominimize course corrections in the egress process. This is in part madepossible by the predictive analytics incorporated into the system toguide occupants to safe egress without creating false starts andunproductive, chaotic scrambling on the way to safety.

In some implementations, the disclosed system can include wearabledevices for occupants experiencing sight or hearing deficiencies. Suchdevices can be beneficial to help these occupants safely egress from thehome during an emergency when they typically cannot hear and/or see theaudio/visual outputs (i.e. directions out of the home) describedthroughout this disclosure.

Now turning to the figures, FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an examplesystem for predicting safe egress strategies out of a building andselecting an optimal egress strategy in real-time during an emergency.The system includes a predictive fire pathway server 100 and house 102.The house 102 has a house layout 104, which can include rooms 110A-N(e.g., kitchen, living room, bathroom, hallway, bedroom, etc.). Thehouse layout 104 can be communicated/transmitted to the server 100 suchthat the server 100 can use the layout 104 in simulating fire scenarios(refer to step B).

In the house 103, one or more signaling devices 108A-D and a hub 106 areinstalled. The hub 106 can be a central control system that receives andcommunicates current conditions in real-time with the signaling devices108A-D. In some implementations, the hub 106 can act like the signalingdevices 108A-D by sensing real-time conditions of a fire in the house102 and/or selecting an optimal egress strategy and outputtinginstructions to occupants about how to safely egress from the house 102.For example, the hub 106 can act as a signaling device in a room wherethere are no other installed signaling devices. The hub 106 can belocated in a main foyer/hallway of the house 102 and thus can act as asignaling device for that foyer/hallway.

Preferably, each of the signaling devices 108A-D can be installed ineach room in the house 102, as depicted in the house layout 104. Thesignaling devices 108A-D are configured to wirelessly communicate witheach other in real-time via a communication such as WIFI, BLUETOOTH, orany other form of wireless connectivity. In some implementations thesignaling devices 108A-D can communicate through a wired connection.This can be beneficial during emergencies in which a wireless connection(i.e., WIFI) is down and/or damaged by conditions of the emergency(i.e., a fire spreads and engulfs a router sending WIFI signalsthroughout the house 102).

As mentioned, the signaling devices 108A-D can communicate real-time,current information about conditions of a fire in the house 102. Currentconditions can include a temperature of the fire, a temperature of aroom that a signaling device is located in, and whether the fire spreadto the room. In some implementations, the signaling devices 108A-D caninclude a monitor and/or one or more cameras to observe currentconditions of the rooms that each of the signaling devices 108A-D arelocated in. Consequently, based on the captured footage, the signalingdevices 108A-D can determine whether the fire started and/or spread toany of the rooms in the house 102. In other implementations, thesignaling devices 108A-D can be connected to one or more cameras thatare installed throughout the house 102. The one or more cameras can bewirelessly communicating with the signaling devices 108A-D.Alternatively, the cameras can communicate with the signaling devices108A-D through a wired communication. A setup involving the use ofcameras that are already installed and/or separately installed in thehouse 102 can be beneficial where the described system (the signalingdevices 108A-D and the hub 106) is retrofitted to an existing house.

Preferably, the signaling devices 108A-D can include temperature sensors(i.e., thermocouple heat sensors) to read temperature values in each ofthe rooms in real-time. In some implementations, the signaling devices108A-D can communicate with sensors that are installed in the house 102.These sensors can be installed around windows, doors, and/or at higherpoints in the rooms (i.e., near the ceiling). The sensors can also beinstalled prior to installation of the described system (the signalingdevices 108A-D and the hub 106), wherein the described system isretrofitted to the house 102. In yet other implementations, thesignaling devices 108A-D can have integrated temperature sensors andstill communicate with additional sensors that are installed throughoutthe house 102. This setup can be beneficial for redundancy and ensuringthat accurate temperature readings are acquired and used by thesignaling devices 108A-D in determining what egress strategy to selectduring an emergency. Current temperature information is beneficial forthe signaling devices 108A-D to adopt the optimal egress strategy fromthe house 102. For example, if current temperature information indicatesthat the fire is at the back of the house 102, then a signaling devicelocated at the front of the house can select an egress strategy thatwill not direct occupants towards the back of the house.

The signaling devices 108A-D can also be configured to outputinstructions to home occupants for safely egressing from the house 102.For example, the signaling devices 108A-D can include speakers that areintegrated into the devices so that the devices can provide an audiooutput of instructions. The signaling devices 108A-D can also includeintegrated lights to display a visual output of instructions to egressfrom the house 102. In other implementations, the signaling devices108A-D can communicate with one or more speakers and/or lights that areinstalled in the house 102 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication. In yet other implementations, the signaling devices108A-D can communicate with wearable devices and other devices that areused by occupants experiencing a disability (i.e. blindness, deafness).

Moreover, the hub 106 can include a monitor for displaying potentialfire scenarios to home occupants. For example, home occupants can viewegress routes at any time, as desired, via the hub 106. The hub 106 canalso be connected to a device within the house 102 (i.e., a TV) andserve as an input for changes to any occupant and/or home designinformation. For example, if a babysitter is in the house 102 one night,the home occupants can update the described system about thebabysitter's presence via the hub 106. That way, the babysitter can beconsidered by the individual signaling devices 108A-D in the event of anemergency wherein the signaling devices 108A-D must select an egressstrategy and output egress instructions to all occupants within thehouse 102. Information about occupants that can be updated and/orchanged includes age (i.e., birthday just occurred) and agility level(i.e., an occupant no longer has crutches or a cast on his leg, an elderrelative just moved in and is in a wheelchair, etc.).

Prior to customization and installation of the signaling devices 108A-Dand the hub 106, the predictive fire pathway server 100 can exploredifferent fire scenarios, identify vulnerabilities that compromisesafety in the house 102, suggest remediation steps and processes for theidentified vulnerabilities, predetermine most effective egress routesfor potential fire scenarios, and establish a design and programming ofthe signaling devices 108A-D and the hub 106 to then be installed in thehouse 102. When the server simulates fire scenarios and identifiespotential egress strategies (refer to steps B-C), the server 100 can useinformation including transit distances between each room and each exitpoint in the house 102, each occupant's mobile abilities (i.e., anoccupant in a wheelchair is slower than a teen who is healthy andactive), and other specifics related to the house layout 104, potentialpaths that a fire can spread throughout the house 102, how long it wouldtake the fire to spread, etc.

Establishing safe egress strategies requires a comprehensive priorevaluation and analysis of the house 102 with respect to its layout(i.e., the house layout 104 or floorplan) and structure (i.e., whetherthe house 102 is a new construction with composite materials or whetherthe house 102 is an older house built with traditional materials such asnatural/dense wood), age and physical capabilities of its occupants, andother factors. Performing such evaluation and analytics before real-timeexecution can be beneficial to determine all potential scenarios of howa fire would pan out and how all occupants would react. Consequently, inreal-time, the optimal egress strategy can be selected to ensure thatall occupants safely exit the house 102 without chaos and without havingto correct/change a selection of the optimal egress strategy.

The server 100 can also be configured to guide homeowners to relocatepersons with disabilities (i.e., elderly in a wheelchair) beforehand toa place in the house 102 that would enable safe and non-chaotic egressin the event of a fire. The server 100 can make such a determination andsuggestions based on simulating fire scenarios and determining how eachoccupant in the house 102 would react and egress from the house 102(refer to steps B-C). In some implementations, the server 100 can beconfigured to guide homeowners about making one or more changes to thehouse 102 itself that would ensure safety and proper egress for alloccupants. For example, the server 100 may determine that a door shouldbe installed in a doorway that separates two zones in the house 102 inorder to create a firewall effect that provides for additional egresstime from other parts of the house 102. In another example, the server100 can determine that a fuel load in one zone of the house 102, for agiven fire scenario, would prohibit safe egress for the occupants.Consequently, the server 100 can determine that that particular zoneshould be modified in some way to reduce the fuel load. The server 100'sdeterminations can be beneficial to guide homebuilders in constructingbetter home designs or retrofits that reduce egress distances to exitsand ensure increased occupant safety. This is particularly importanttoday where homes are built with more composite materials rather thanreal wood and homeowners are seeking spacious, open architecture. Inother words, homebuilders may still design open architecture andfloorplans but have a better understanding and adaptation of suchfloorplans to shorter and safer egress paths in the event of a fireemergency.

Still referring to FIG. 1 , the server 100 can receive home layout (i.e.the house layout 104, distances/measurements between different rooms inthe house 102 and exit points, etc.) and user information (i.e., age,agility, and disabilities of each of the occupants, etc.) from the house102 in step A. In this step, a homebuilder can upload this informationabout the house 102 and its occupants directly to the server 100. Inother implementations, this information can be uploaded in real-time tothe server 100 by an occupant in the house 102 and/or byupdating/inputting/adding into the hub 106 information about theoccupants or other home design information. Using this information, theserver 100 can simulate fire scenarios in step B then perform predictiveanalytics on the ability of all of the occupants to safely egress in anyof those fire scenarios in step C.

By simulating fire scenarios in step B, the server 100 can flush outpotential safety vulnerabilities and determine appropriate egressstrategies (i.e., routes, paths) for each of the simulated scenarios.The server 100 can simulate different fire scenarios to determine howquickly a fire would spread to other areas in the house 102 and how thespread of the fire would impact different exit points throughout thehouse 102. The server 100 can use information including temperatures ofa fire when it starts, when it's at a peak, and when it's on a declineto simulate fire scenarios in the house 102. The server 100 can also useinformation about the house 102 to simulate fire scenarios, includingwhen the house 102 was built, what materials were used to build thehouse 102, and the house layout 104.

Then, using specialized predictive analytics and elements of artificialintelligence, the server 100 can determine how well occupants can egressusing predicted egress strategies in any of the simulated fire scenarios(step C). In some implementations, the predictive analytics utilizes aspecialized time temperature equation that is mathematicallydeterministic, but can also incorporate stochastic analysis for addedrigor and safety. Moreover, elements of AI can be incorporated withrespect to predictive analytics in order to broaden its scope and ensurethat it accommodates emerging technology and advances in modes ofanalysis. The power of predictive analytics lies in its ability topredict the rate of rise of temperature in a space that contains a fire,starting from fire initiation to maximum growth before ultimate decline.As its primary goal, the methodology utilized by the server 100 canpredict times to maximum escape temperature and flashover. Theseparameters, coupled with information on home layout (i.e., house layout104) versus the mobility and general physical and mental capabilities ofoccupants in the house 102, establish the viability of predicted egressstrategies and routes.

The basic defining time-temperature equation for the example predictiveanalytics methodology utilized by the server 100 is as follows, in whichits application is in the space with fire:

T=T _(max) [t/t _(max) exp(1−t/t _(max))]^(C)

In which T is the computed temperature above initial room temperature attime, t, T_(max) is the maximum expected temperature in a room withfire, t_(max) is the expected time when T_(max) is reached, and C isshape factor for the time-temperature curve. In most house fires,T_(max) is about 1100° F. and t_(max) is about 3½ minutes in a typicalhome fire. The values of T_(max) and t_(max) can be modified for knowncharacteristics and conditions in a home as determined by the server100. The factor C, which determines the critical shape of thetime-temperature curve, is determined as follows:

C=[ln T ₁ /T _(max)]/[ln t ₁ /t _(max)+1−t ₁ /t _(max)]

In which T₁ is the temperature above initial room temperature at time,t₁, and all other variables are as previously defined. In the simulationperformed by the server 100, T₁ is estimated from a rationally-basedaudit methodology that includes extremum analysis and critical ranges ofpossibility. At the signaling devices 108A-D, T₁ is determined from oneor more thermocouple outputs during an actual fire via a samplingprocess, a vital distinction. The time, t₁, is chosen to be 15 seconds,for reasons elaborated later. In a fire, temperature is sampled everysecond or quicker, with a running 10-second time-averaging windowapplied to the process. That is, to determine T₁ at t₁=15 seconds,temperature data that is sampled starting at 10 seconds and ending at 20seconds are averaged to calculate the value for T₁. Therefore, t₁=15resides at the midpoint of the 10-second time-averaging window indetermining T₁. The averaging process is critical to smoothing the datato yield a more accurate representation of T₁, because a firefluctuates, hence so does temperature. Choosing a 10-secondtime-averaging window in determining T₁ is arbitrary, but is based onengineering experience and judgement in collecting temperature data in afire setting. Also, a larger time-averaging window can reduce theavailable egress time.

A fire typically starts on a limited, localized scale, then experiencesa sudden “pulse” growth for a period of time before reaching flashover,followed by final growth at a continuously reducing rate until itreaches its maximum level of intensity. After reaching its maximum, afire goes into a declining stage as its fuel is depleted. The time atwhich temperature becomes impassible at a particular egress location,followed later by the temperature for when flashover occurs, arepredicted by the server 100 as follows.

The precise time to maximum escape temperature, chosen to be 300° F.(149° C.) for dry conditions, and the specific shape of the curve dependon t_(max), T_(max), and T₁ at time t₁. As stated above, and repeatednow for emphasis, the value of T₁ for a chosen time, t₁, which is 15seconds in this example, is estimated by the server 100 when simulatingfire scenarios in step B, as stated above, but measured directly in anactual fire in the signaling devices 108A-D. Using the equations fromabove, FIG. 9 depicts four time-temperature curves as a function of timefor various values of T₁, assuming the values of T_(max) and t_(max)cited above. In FIG. 9 , curves labeled 1, 2, 3, and 4 correspond to T₁values of 0.1° F., 2° F., 5° F., and 15° F., respectively (0.06° C.,1.1° C., 2.8° C., and 8.3° C.). Time, t₁, equals 15 seconds in allcases. The values for T₁ were chosen arbitrarily to elucidate thepotential shapes of the time temperature curve and to assess the rangeof potential egress times. All four curves are “sigmoid” in basic shape,accurately representing the behavior of a real fire, but differimportantly in the information each provides on precise temperaturehistory. If T₁=0.1° F. (0.06° C.) after 15 seconds, the fire can beconsidered embryonic, while if T₁=15° F. (8.3° C.) in the sametimeframe, the fire is still in a relative infancy but not embryonic.The times in the respective curves at which the temperature in the roomreaches the impassible point, 300° F. (149° C.) for dry conditions, are70, 52, 45, and 35 seconds, respectively, in which t₁=15 seconds plusone half of the 10-second time-averaging window, totaling 20 seconds,have been subtracted.

Choosing t₁=15 seconds reasonably assures that enough temperaturemeasurements have been undertaken with the thermocouples to determineaccurate results with the predictive analytics methodology in a realfire. There is a feature in the methodology, as previously mentioned,that allows for one course correction in egress early in the processafter a fire is detected in real-time. Regardless, the basic process isas follows. During the 20-second sampling time in determining T₁ in areal fire, the signaling devices 108A-D can be configured to alertoccupants about the fire, providing initial guidance, and allowing themto prepare for egress. In some implementations, t₁ can be longer, i.e.,25-30 seconds, but given the typical 3½ minute time in which flamesfully encompass a home, 15 seconds can be more prudent. In the finalanalysis, as performed by the signaling devices 108A-D, occupants oughtto not be guided quickly to a point on an escape path that may becomeengulfed with flames by the time they arrive. For the four egress timescited above in FIG. 9 , choosing conservatively that 35 seconds isavailable for egress along a path that passes through the room with thefire, that time span is insufficient for many cases unless the transitdistance to safety is short and the occupant is physically mobile.

If the egress pathway is in a room adjacent to the room with fire, theflashpoint becomes the criterion for determining allowable egress time.If a closed door exists between rooms, then more time is available foregress. The times to flashover, assuming a typical residentialflashpoint of 932° F. (500° C.) are 137, 127, 122, 115 seconds,respectively, for the four shown curves in FIG. 9 . As before, t₁=15seconds plus half of the 10 second averaging window have been subtractedfrom the predicted times when flashover occurs for the four curves.Again, choosing conservatively, the allowable time for egress is 115seconds, which may be adequate in some instances, depending on transitdistances, occupant mobility, and other factors described above. If not,and the fire is on the second floor, safe egress can be through a roomwindow. The same reasoning can be applied to various other scenarios.

In the server 100 and the signaling devices 108A-D, the deterministicaspects of the above equations are complemented by stochastic processesand artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of neural networks andgenetic algorithms, for example, to make the server 100 and signalingdevices 108A-D more robust and resilient. Factors that are included inthe server 100 and signaling devices 108A-D through stochastics and AIinclude such things as determining the possibility of (a) window blowout that can amplify fire flow paths, and (b) the effects of fuels typesand fire loads on fire dynamics in various places in a home. Theestimation of T_(max) and t_(max), and related parameters, are affectedby these various factors.

To summarize the basic predictive analytics methodology describedherein, when a fire ignites an initial sampling period of t₁+5=20seconds occurs in which the installed signaling devices 108A-D cangather temperature data with the various thermocouples locatedstrategically throughout the house 102. Once T₁ is determined, thesecond equation depicted above can be used to calculate C. Then thefirst equation depicted above can be used to predict the time thattemperature will rise to its maximum allowable escape level, and thetime at which flashover will occur. Escape and flashover times, witht₁+5=20 seconds subtracted, coupled with predetermined exit transitdistances and estimated egress speeds for each home occupant, asdetermined by the server 100, considering instances of requiredassistance by able-bodied persons, allow the installed signaling devices108A-D to provide proper and effective guidance for escape to safety.

The predictive analytics described throughout includes a feature for onecourse correction in a fire in the house 102, as previously discussed.After the initial sampling period of 20 seconds (i.e. t₁+5), thesignaling devices 108A-D can continue to sample temperatures from thethermocouples in the room(s) with fire as well as those distributed invarious rooms throughout the house 102. The hub 106 and/or the signalingdevices 108A-D can determine at various points in time to what extentthe initial predictions in temperature rise hold and whether they werelow or high. If high, the initial assessment of allowable egress timeholds. If low beyond a certain tolerance level, occupants can beinstructed to return to their starting point and to exit from an egresswindow. This course correction can be valid for a short time after theinitial sampling period, i.e., 15-30 seconds beyond the initial 20seconds, depending on occupant mobility, egress distances, and otherlogistical factors. In the final analysis, conservative judgments can bemade, by the signaling devices 108A-D, on egress guidance.

As a simple example, using predictive assessments, the server 100 candetermine that it would take a particular occupant 30 seconds to get outthrough a front door from an upstairs bedroom. The server 100 can alsodetermine that based on the materials used to build the house 102 andthe house layout 104, the fire will spread to the front door or anywherealong the occupant's escape route in less than 30 seconds. So, theserver 100 can determine alternative egress strategies that can safelylead the occupant out of the house 102 without coming into contact withthe fire. In an example scenario where the fire starts or is located inthe kitchen, the server 100 can determine that the fire can reach thefront door in 1 minute. Based on this information, the server 100 candetermine that the occupant can safely exit through the front doorbecause it would take the occupant 30 seconds to do so. Thus, this exitroute can become one of the modeled egress strategies (refer to step D).The goal of the server 100 is to create and predict optimal egressstrategies that direct occupants away from the fire and out of the house102 in the fastest and safest way possible. The server 100 is configuredto predetermine egress pathways through the house 102 and predeterminecontingencies should any of the predicted egress pathways not be themost optimal one during an emergency in real-time.

In some implementations, the use of predictive analytics by the server100 does not necessarily entail artificial intelligence (AI). Rather, itcan entail deterministic mathematics, conventional and/or cleverapplications of statistics, and/or AI. Moreover, AI itself can entailstatistics and/or stochastics in its inner workings. In the exampledepicted throughout this disclosure, a deterministic mathematicalapproach is employed by the server 100 in simulating fire scenarios(refer to step B). However, in other implementations, the discloseddeterminations of fire and/or temperature growth can be performed usingartificial intelligence or artificial intelligence in combination withvarious forms of predictive analytics.

Next, still referring to FIG. 1 , in step D, the server 100 can modelegress strategies for each of the rooms in the house 102 based on thesimulations and predictive analytics of steps B-C. The server 100 canperform if/else true/false logic to determine a list of key egressstrategies for each of the rooms in the house 102. For example, theserver 100 can determine that if fire exists in room A on a first floorof the house 102, then exit strategy 1 should be selected as an optimalexit strategy for exiting room B on a second floor of the house 102. Asanother example, if the fire is in room A on the first floor of thehouse 102 and it spread to at least one other room on the first level,then the server 100 can determine that exit strategy 2 should beselected as the optimal exit strategy for exiting room B on the secondfloor of the house 102. Then, in real-time execution, a signaling devicecan select any egress strategy from the list of key egress strategiesmade by the server 100 but would optimally select the egress strategythat the server 100 modeled as the optimal exit strategy in theparticular scenario.

Once the list of key egress strategies is created, the server 100 canmodel signaling instructions that are associated with each of the keyegress strategies in the list in step E. The server 100 can modelinstructions that can be visually outputted and/or outputted as audio.For example, based on occupant preference, instructions for exiting thehouse 102 along a particular egress strategy can be outputted usinglights (i.e. LED lights). The lights can be displayed, from thesignaling devices 108A-D and/or in any of the rooms in the house 102,depicting arrows or some other illumination that would indicate theappropriate path to take out of the house 102. In anotherimplementation, the lights can be in the form of LED strips attached ontop of a molding of one or more windows and/or doors in each of therooms in the house 102. The LED strips can become illuminated to directoccupants safely out of the house 102 upon instruction from a signalingdevice and/or the hub 106 during an emergency. The LED strips cancommunicate wirelessly or through a wired connection with the signalingdevices 108A-D and the hub 106. In yet another implementation,instructions to exit the house 102 can be outputted using audio, inwhich the signaling devices 108A-D and/or external speakers installed inthe house 102 dictate instructions to occupants about exiting the house102. In some implementations, audio output can come from a speakerembedded in one or more outlets throughout the house 102.

Once the signaling instructions are modeled, the server 100 can transmitthe list of key egress strategies and their associated signalinginstructions to the house 102 in step F. The signaling devices 108A-Dcan preload the lists of key egress strategies, wherein the listincludes all possible strategies to exit a particular room that each ofthe signaling devices 108A-D is located in. As mentioned, thesepredicted egress strategies can foreshadow a time it would take anyparticular occupant to exit the house 102 and a time it would take forthe fire to spread to any area of the house 102, thereby restricting orclosing off any exit points in the house 102.

Each of the signaling devices 108A-D can receive the egress strategiesand their associated signaling instructions that relate to exiting theparticular room that each signaling device 108A-D is located in. Forexample, if signaling device 108D is located in a kitchen (i.e., room110C) of the house 102, then the signaling device 108D will only receivea list of key egress strategies and signaling instructions that relateto exiting the kitchen during an emergency. Likewise, if signalingdevice 108B is located in a living room of the house 102, then thatsignaling device 108B will only receive the modeled egress strategiesand signaling instructions that relate exiting the living room during anemergency.

In some implementations, the hub 106 can also receive all of the modeledegress strategies and signaling instructions, regardless of which roomthose strategies pertain to. In yet other implementations, the hub 106may only receive modeled egress strategies and signaling instructionsthat relate to the room that the hub 106 is located within (i.e., in afoyer, entrance, or hallway of the house 102). Thus, in someimplementations, the hub 106 can function and act like the signalingdevices 108A-D.

The server 100 can determine which egress strategies are transmitted towhich of the signaling devices 108A-D by assigning values to each of therooms in the house 102. Then, each signaling device 108A-D can beassigned a value that corresponds to the value of each of the rooms. Forexample, the kitchen can be assigned a value of 1 and the signalingdevice 108D, which is located in the kitchen, can likewise be assigned avalue of 1. Once the server 100 generates a list of key modeled egressstrategies for the kitchen, the server 100 can determine which signalingdevice 108A-D is located in the kitchen based on its assigned value andthen transmit the list of egress strategies associated with the kitchento that signaling device (in the example provided above, the signalingdevice 108D is located in the kitchen so the signaling device 108D andthe kitchen have corresponding identification values).

Once each of the signaling devices 108A-D receive the modeled egressstrategies and signaling instructions, the signaling devices 108A-D cancommunicate and receive current conditions in real-time from the othersignaling devices 108A-D and the hub 106 (step G). As previouslydiscussed, each of the signaling devices 108A-D can collect real-timeconditions on their own by using sensors or other devices integratedinto each of the signaling devices 108A-D. Alternatively, the signalingdevices 108A-D can communicate real-time conditions with each other aswell as with sensors and other devices already installed in the house102 (i.e., smart smoke detectors, thermocouple heat sensors, etc.).Based on the sensed/received current conditions, the signaling devices108A-D can make real-time determinations of which egress strategies areappropriate for safe egress from the house 102.

For example in the example mentioned above, if a fire is sensed by thesignaling device 108D in the kitchen based on a sudden increase intemperature in the kitchen, then the signaling device 108D cancommunicate this condition in real-time to the other signaling devices108A-D as well as the hub 106. Other signaling devices 108A-D cancommunicate additional conditions in real-time, including but notlimited to a temperature of a room and/or a change in temperature of theroom, wherein the rooms are nearby the kitchen. The signaling devices108A-D can use this information to determine whether the fire isspreading from the kitchen, whether it is getting stronger, and/orwhether it's getting hotter.

Based on communication of conditions in real-time in step G, each of thesignaling devices 108A-D can then select an optimal egress strategy fromthe list of modeled egress strategies associated with the particularroom that each of the signaling devices 108A-D is located in (step H).For example, in this step H, the signaling device 108D selects the bestegress strategy that would allow an occupant to safely exit the house102 without coming into contact with the fire that started in thekitchen, regardless of where the fire spreads. Because of the simulatingand predicting performed by the server 100 in steps B-D, the signalingdevice 108D's selection would be accurate such that the signaling device108D would not have to correct its egress strategy selection inreal-time. After all, the server 100 has simulated a fire scenario likethe present one and predicted how an occupant would egress in thatparticular scenario (refer to steps B-C). The possibility of error inselection by the signaling devices 108A-D would consequently be minimal,if not nonexistent. In the event that course correction is required inreal-time, then a signaling device should only have to make a singlecourse correction.

In the event that the single course correction is necessary, thesignaling device can continue to receive samples of temperature valuesfrom sensors throughout the house 102 as well as from the othersignaling devices 108A-D and the hub 106 to make an accurate correctionof the signaling device's strategy selection. In some implementations,the hub 106 (or any of the signaling devices 108A-D) can determine atvarious points in time to what extent initial predictions in temperaturerise hold and whether they are high or low. If high, then the initialassessment of allowable egress time, as determined by the server 100,and selected egress strategy, as determined by a signaling device inreal-time, holds. If low beyond a certain predetermined level, then thehub 106 and/or any of the signaling devices 108A-D can select adifferent egress strategy and instruct occupants to return to theirstarting points and/or follow new directions associated with a differentselected egress strategy.

As mentioned, thermocouple heat sensors placed judiciously throughoutthe house 102 can sense temperatures in different rooms in real-time.These temperature readings can be transmitted to each of the signalingdevices 108A-D during the emergency and/or before the emergency. In stepH, each signaling device 108A-D can estimate a rate of temperature risealong each of the modeled egress strategies to determine which of themodeled egress strategies is appropriate, safe, and ought to beselected. The signaling devices 108A-D can predict the rate of rise intemperature starting from fire initiation to maximum growth before thefire's ultimate decline. This prediction can also be performed by theserver 100 before run-time execution. A temperature at any given timecan be determined via thermocouple heat sensor outputs during an actualfire via a sampling process. Temperature readings from the sensors canbe collected over a period of time then averaged in order to smooth thedata and yield a more accurate representation of the temperature at anygiven time. Consequently, the signaling devices 108A-D can predict timesto maximum escape temperature and flashover, which, as mentioned, isalso performed by the server 100 before run-time execution. Coupled withpredetermined egress transit distances and estimated egress speeds foreach occupant (which was determined by the server 100 in steps B-D), thesignaling devices 108A-D can accurately select and provide for properand effective guidance to safety during an emergency in real-time.

As mentioned the determinations concerning rise of temperature can beperformed by the server 100 beforehand in step C. When the server 100determines a rise in temperature, it can employ a rationally-based auditmethodology that includes extremum analysis and critical ranges ofpossibility to determine a temperature at any given time in each of therooms in the house 102. Prediction of what temperatures will be atvarious critical points along an egress strategy (i.e., route, path) andat a destination exit point is important to ensure that occupants can besafely guided to safety without chaos or confusion. These are criticaldeterminations performed by the server 100 in order to determineoccupants' ability to safely egress during any fire scenario and modelkey egress strategies (refer to steps C-D).

For example, if the sensed, determined, or predicted temperature valuesalong an egress strategy are below a maximum escape level at all pointsalong that strategy and will remain so until all occupants can reach theexit, then the server 100 can determine that that egress strategy is anoptimal strategy in the list of modeled egress strategies provided to asignaling device. To make this determination, the server 100 needs toknow a time before the temperature becomes too hot at each point alongthe egress strategy, a transit distance, and a speed at which anoccupant is reasonably able to move along the egress strategy to safety.If conditions are not suitable to exit via one of the modeled egressstrategies, with an embodied safety time factor to accommodate for anyuncertainties, then the server 100 can determine that a different egressstrategy in the list of modeled strategies may be the better option inthe even of an emergency. These steps described can also be performed inreal-time by each of the signaling devices 108A-D in step H, when eachof the signaling devices 108A-D must select the optimal egress strategyfrom the list of modeled egress strategies received from the server 100.

After each of the signaling devices 108A-D selects the optimal egressstrategy associated with the particular room that the signaling device108A-D is located in (step H), each signaling device 108A-D isconfigured to output egress instructions associated with the selectedegress strategy in step I. For example, if the fire starts in thekitchen where the signaling device 108D is located, then the signalingdevice 108D will output instructions associated with the selected egressstrategy for exiting the house 102 from the kitchen. In the sameexample, the signaling device 108B, located in the living room of thehouse 102, will output instructions associated with the selected egressstrategy for exiting the house 102 from the living room. As previouslymentioned, output of the instructions for the selected egress strategycan be visual and/or audio. The signaling devices 108A-D can make thisdetermination based on information about the occupants, such as whetheran occupant is blind, deaf, or prefers one form of output over theother. In some implementations, the signaling devices 108A-D may onlyhave one form of output based on the devices installed in the house 102.For example, if every room in the house 102 has a speaker installedin/integrated into an outlet, then audio output is used. If every roomin the house 102, or some of the rooms, has LED strips installed onmolding of doors and/or windows, then a visual output is used. In yetother examples, output can be both audio and visual, which can bebeneficial in situations where, for example, there is a lot of smokethat makes it harder for occupants to see lights as time goes on.

In other implementations, the signaling devices 108A-D can select anoptimal form of output based on a current condition in real-time. Forexample, if the signaling device 108D senses that there is a lot ofsmoke in the kitchen that obstructs ones vision, it may be hard for anoccupant in the kitchen to see any visual outputs. Therefore, in thisexample, the signaling device 108D can select an audio output of egressinstructions rather than a visual output.

Each of the signaling devices 108A-D perform steps H and I. In someimplementations, the hub 106 can also perform steps H and I (not shown),especially in situations where the hub 106 is located within a room inthe house 102 that does not have its own signaling device 108A-D andwherein the hub 106 functions like the signaling devices 108A-D. In someimplementations, the house 102 may not have the hub 106 but rather candesignate one of the signaling devices 108A-D to act as the hub 106 or acentral control system.

The system described herein can further include features for assistingdisabled occupants. For example, a deaf occupant can wear or carry adevice (i.e. a wearable device or a hand-held device) that usesvibrational signals to guide the occupant via a selected egressstrategy. As another example, a blind occupant can wear or carry adevice that provides continuous audible verbal messages for egressinstructions (i.e., to supplement other fixed audio devices or act as asubstitute if fixed audio devices are not functioning within the house).

The system described herein can also include other features. Forexample, some or all devices, such as the signaling device 108 and thehub device 106, can include battery backup (i.e., lithium) for use incase of a power outage affecting some parts or all of the house. Varioushardware and software security measures can further be employed toprevent local and/or remote hacking. Security measures can preventunauthorized users (i.e., would-be thieves) from obtaining informationabout a house floor plan, for example. In some implementations, thesystem described herein can be used as a stand-alone system for a fireegress and guidance system. Other configurations for the system are alsopossible.

FIG. 2 is an example system diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 1 . Thesystem includes a predictive fire pathway system 100 (FIG. 1 'spredictive fire pathway server 100), a fire detection hub device 106(FIG. 1 's hub 106), and at least on signaling device 108 (FIG. 1 'ssignaling devices 108A-D) that communicate via network(s) 200. Thesystem 100, hub device 106, and signaling device 108 can use one or morewired and/or wireless communications (i.e. BLUETOOTH, WIFI) in thenetwork(s) 200.

In some implementations, the hub device 106 can detect whether there isa fire in a house and provide an associated fire indication 230 to thepredictive fire pathway system 100 as well the signaling device 108. Thehub device 106 can be of various configurations and can include a smokedetector and/or heat sensor (i.e. temperature sensor, infrared sensor,etc.) in order to detect whether there is a fire and where in the housethe fire is located. Further, the hub device 106 and/or signaling device108 can be of various configurations, such as motion sensors, cameras,door sensors, window sensors, door locks and window locks, othersecurity devices, etc.

The predictive fire pathway system 100 can include a fire simulationmodule 202, an egress pathway modeling module 204, a user behaviorengine 206, and a fire egress pathway determination engine 208. Thesystem 100 can also communicate wirelessly and/or wired with adetermined egress pathways database 210 and a determine user behaviorsdatabase 212. In other implementations, the system 100 can alternativelystore information associated with its functions in a cloud-based networkand/or use the cloud-based network as backup storage.

The user behavior engine 206 can collect information about homeoccupants from the hub 106, signaling device 108, or other sources(refer to FIG. 1 step A). For example, when the hub 106 and signalingdevice 108 are installed in the house, an installer (i.e., homeowner,homebuilder, etc.) can input/transmit information about the home'soccupants directly to the predictive fire pathway system 100. Some ofthe information that the user behavior engine 206 can collect includesan age, agility level, and any possible disabilities associated witheach occupant. The user behavior engine 206 can then determine keycharacteristics of the occupants that may impact their ability to safelyegress from the house during an emergency. For example, if an elderlyperson in a wheelchair lives in the house, then the user behavior engine206 can determine that this factor will change how the elderly personcan egress from the house during a fire. In other words, it may takelonger for the elderly person to egress. The user behavior engine 206can also use this type of occupant information in order to suggest to ahomebuilder, homeowner, or any other occupant about what modificationscan be made directly within the house to ensure occupant safety. Forexample, if the elderly person lives in the house, the user behaviorengine 206 can create a suggestion, communicated to the hub device 106to then be outputted for display, that the elderly person should have abedroom on a first floor of the house and/or close to a major exit ofthe house (i.e., back door, front door).

Once the user behavior engine 206 determines the user information thatis key to egressing safely out of the house during an emergency, thatuser behavior information can be stored in the determined user behaviorsdatabase 212. The information stored in the database 212 can be updatedat any time by a user inputting updated and/or new information into thehub device 106. For example, if a baby is added to a family living inthe house, one of the occupants can update the occupant information viathe hub device 106 such that when egress pathways are modeled by themodule 204, the module 204 can take into consideration the fact that ababy is now one of the occupants that needs to safely egress from thehouse during an emergency.

Still referring to FIG. 2 , the fire simulation module 202 can simulatepotential fire scenarios in the house based on a house layout, whatmaterials the house is built with, user behavior information, and otherinformation as previously mentioned (refer to FIG. 1 step B).

The egress pathway modeling module 204 can be configured to model/createpotential egress strategies out of the house based on the simulated firescenarios from the module 202 and taking into consideration the occupantinformation stored in the determined user behaviors database 212 (referto FIG. 1 step C). The module 204 can use predictive analytics andcomponents of artificial intelligence to predict abilities of each ofthe occupants to exit the house during an emergency, no matter thesimulated fire scenario.

The fire egress pathway determination engine 208 can be configured toselect one or more of the predicted egress pathways from the module 204that can be used during an emergency (refer to FIG. 1 step D). In thisstep, the engine 208 can model the predicted egress strategies for eachof the rooms in the house, thereby creating a list of key potentialegress strategies that the signaling device 108 can choose from inreal-time. The engine 208 can also be configured to model signalinginstructions associated with each of the potential egress strategies inthe list (refer to FIG. 1 step E). In some implementations, aspreviously discussed, the engine 208 can list the egress strategies inorder from optimal to least optimal exit strategy in any given firescenario.

Once the engine 208 determines a list of egress strategies associatedwith each room in the house, the list of egress strategies, as well asthe associated signaling instructions, can be stored in the determinedegress pathways database 210. Over time, if the module 204 predicts newegress strategies and the engine 208 models, selects, and/or determinesnew strategies that can be implemented by the signaling device 108, thenegress strategies stored in the database 210 can be updated to reflectsuch changes/additions. Thus, the module 204 operates to bolsterfunctioning and effectiveness of the system 100 by adjusting the system100 for changing circumstances in occupant status, occasions withguests, and/or changes in the home itself (i.e., renovating the house,adding room(s), removing room(s), etc.). As such, egress strategies canbe modified rapidly with changing circumstances.

After egress strategies are determined and stored, the system 100 cancommunicate the egress strategies 226 and the associated signalinginstructions 228 to the signaling device 108 (refer to FIG. 1 step F).

The signaling device 108 can include an audio output system 214, avisual output system 216, a predetermined signaling logic 218, apredetermined output logic 220, a temperature sensor 222, and a userpresence sensor 224. Upon receiving the egress strategies 226 andsignaling instructions 228, the signaling device 108 can collect currentconditions in real-time (refer to FIG. 1 step G). The temperature sensor222 (i.e. heat sensor, infrared sensor, etc.) can get a read on atemperature of the room that the signaling device 108 is located within.Based on the sensed temperature, the signaling device 108 can determinewhether there is a fire in the room and/or whether a fire isspreading/getting closer to the room. Moreover, the user presence sensor224 can determine whether an occupant is located within the room. If theoccupant is sensed in the room, then the signaling device 108 candetermine that it must output some instructions to that occupant tosafely egress from the room.

The predetermined signaling logic 218 can then select an optimal egressstrategy from the list of egress strategies 226 (refer to FIG. 1 stepH). This selection can be based on information sensed in real-time bythe temperature sensor 222 and/or the user presence sensor 224, aspreviously discussed throughout this disclosure. Once an egress strategyis selected, the predetermined output logic 220 can determine which formof output should be used to output the egress instructions. Thisdetermination can be based on user information, preferences, and/or whatdevices are installed within the room that the signaling device islocated in. Based on that determination, the signaling instructions canbe outputted using the audio output system 214 and/or the visual outputsystem 216 (refer to FIG. 1 step I).

FIGS. 3A-C are conceptual diagrams of a building floor map withpredicted egress strategies that are used to instruct occupants in thebuilding about how to safely exit during an emergency. As depicted, oneor more devices can be located in each of the rooms in a house 300,including hub 310 and signaling devices 314A-E. The signaling devices314A-E and hub 310 can communicate via a wired and/or wirelessconnection, as previously discussed.

In some implementations, rooms, such as a first bedroom 306, can includeadditional sensors, such as a sensor 337. The sensor 337 can detect apresence of a fire, a presence of an occupant, temperature of thebedroom 306, and other current conditions in real-time. For example, thesensor 337 can be a motion detector and/or a smart thermostat. In yetother implementations, the sensor 337 can be a smoke detector and/or asmart smoke detector, which can act as a primary sensor for determiningan existence of a fire and its location. In other implementations, thesensor 337 can be a thermocouple heat sensor, which is beneficial tosense and report temperatures at various locations as a fire grows andspreads throughout the house 300. Optionally, the house 300 can includea sensor such as sensor 337 in each of the rooms in the house 300 alongwith additional sensors for redundancy (i.e., a sensor can be placedinside each bedroom at a door to each bedroom and a third sensor can beplaced in a hallway between both bedrooms). Thermocouple heat sensorscan also be placed along a stairway 303 and throughout the house 300with judicious placement near a ceiling height since heat rises anddistributes itself. As a result, such sensors are less likely to bevisible to home occupants but can still be effective in obtainingaccurate temperature readings in real-time.

As discussed, the hub 310 and/or signaling devices 314A-E can alsoinclude integrated motion detectors and/or other types of sensors suchthat individual sensors, such as the sensor 337, are not required orheavily relied upon. In general, other devices that can communicatereal-time conditions with the hub 310 and signaling devices 314A-E caninclude smart outlet covers, smoke detectors, sensors, etc. Moreover,any given device, such as a signaling device, can include a motiondetector as well as any other devices discussed herein.

In some implementations, the hub 310 is a master monitoring system andother monitoring devices, such as the signaling devices 314A-E aresecondary monitoring systems. In some implementations, each secondarymonitoring system can take over control as a new master monitoringsystem if the hub 310 is out of commission (i.e., consumed by fire). Anew master monitoring system can operate using last-received informationfrom the hub 310 and information received from other secondarymonitoring systems. In some implementations, all monitoring systemslocated in the house 300 can act as peer devices (i.e., pre-disasterand/or during a disaster), with no device designated as a mastermonitoring device or hub 310.

Additionally or alternatively, devices in the house 300 can connect to acloud based service, to upload and download information provided byother devices, so that a given device can send and receive data even ifa home network is compromised, for example, by fire. During a disaster,devices may not be able to communicate on a local network, but a smartthermostat or signaling device in one room and the hub 310 may each beable to communicate via the cloud service (i.e., using a cellularnetwork) and thereby exchange information with each other, using thecloud service as an intermediary.

FIG. 3A is a drawing of the house 300 that includes a lower level 302and the stairway 303 that goes to an upper level at time t=0. The upperlevel includes a hallway 304, a first bedroom 306, and a second bedroom308. In this example, at time t=0, two egress strategies, a firststrategy 312 and a second strategy 318, have been predicted, determined,and preloaded into a signaling device 314E. The signaling device 314Ereceives information 360 (refer to FIGS. 1-2 ) which can include (1) alist of potential egress strategies to select from (the first predictedegress strategy 312 and the second predicted egress strategy 318), (2)which strategy the signaling device 314E selects as an optimal egressstrategy, a first choice 366, and (3) which strategy would be secondbest in case of an error in the signaling device 314E's selection, asecond choice 368.

In some implementations, the bedroom 306 can include LED lights above adoor 332 and above windows 338 and 336, in addition to a speaker (i.e.,integrated into the signaling device 314E), and sensors such as thesensor 337, which can be a thermocouple heat sensor. Lights, speakers,and/or sensors can also be co-located without wall outlets/sockets. Allthese devices can be located strategically, including near exit pointsthemselves. These devices can be connected wirelessly or via wires tothe hub 310 and/or other signaling devices 314A-E and other devicesplaced strategically throughout the house 300. This configuration can beapplied to all the rooms in the house 300 and/or each room can have adifferent configuration of devices.

In this example, a fire 301 occurs on the first level 302. Signalingdevice 314E in the first bedroom 306 can receive a current condition ofthe fire 301 from the hub 310 that is located on the first level 302.The hub 310 can determine that a fire is present on the first level 302by using sensors (i.e., temperature, infrared) that measure currentconditions in real-time. The hub 310 can also be in communication withsensors on the first level 302 that are configured to determinereal-time conditions and transmit those conditions to the hub 310 andthe other signaling devices 314A-E. The presence of the fire 301 can bedetermined, for example, based on one or more received temperaturereadings being more than a threshold temperature.

As another example, the hub 310 can receive a fire indication signalfrom one or more smoke detection devices located on the first level 302.Other fire detection approaches can include IR (Infra-Red) firedetection and rate of rise temperature detection. Fire indicationinformation can indicate which location(s) in the house 300 is on fire(or sufficiently close to a fire so as to be avoided by occupants of thehouse 300).

Once the signaling device 314E receives a notification that the fire 301is present and where it is located, the signaling device 314E selectsone of the strategies 318 and 312 for an occupant 350 to safely egressfrom the house 300, using techniques previously mentioned (refer to FIG.1 ). In this example, the signaling device 314E selected the secondstrategy 318, which then is reflected as the signaling device 314E'sfirst choice 366. The second strategy 318 is to direct the occupant 350out a window 338.

In the example of FIG. 3A, at time t=0, the signaling device 314Eselected the second egress strategy 318 because based on real-timeconditions of the fire 301, the occupant 350 may not have enough time tosafely egress from the house 300 if the occupant 350 is instructed totake the first egress strategy 312 out of the house 300 through a frontdoor 330. The server 100 described in reference to FIG. 1 had alreadysimulated fires like that depicted in FIG. 3A and determined usingpredictive analytics how the occupant 350 would egress based on thatoccupant's age, agility, and other information. Therefore, all thesignaling device 314E had to do in real-time was determine which of themodeled egress strategies would match up with the current, real-timeconditions of the fire 301 in this scenario.

In some implementations, a temperature along the first egress strategy312 can reach an untenable level even if a point along the strategy 312down the stairs 303 is not yet too hot. Thus, the safest exit is via thesecond egress strategy 318, out the window 338. The signaling device314E can make this determination and strategy selection in real-timebased on collecting temperature readings from other devices/sensorsalong each of the egress strategies 312 and 318. In some implementations(not depicted), a door that is opened and/or closed can also change thesignaling device 314E's determination of which egress strategy toselect. For example, if a fire starts in the bedroom 306 and an occupantis in the bedroom 308, wherein both doors 332 and 334 are closed, asignaling device in the bedroom 308 can determine that there is enoughtime for the occupant to escape through the hallway 304, down the stairs303, and through the front door 330. The signaling device in the bedroom308 can make this determination based on the fact that the door 332 isclosed (i.e., sensors, like the sensor 337, placed around the door 332determine whether it is open or closed), which can increase the amountof time it would take for (1) the fire to spread from the bedroom 306and into the hallway 304 and (2) a temperature of the hallway 304 toraise to an untenable level. Moreover, if the door is made ofhollow-core or solid-core construction, that condition can also changethe signaling device's determination of whether an egress strategythrough the hallway 304 is safe and appropriate. It is worth noting thatsuch a determination can also be made by the server 100 as depicted inFIG. 1 , step B when simulating fire scenarios. In another example of asimilar situation, if the door 332 is open, then the signaling device inthe bedroom 308 can determine that the fire will quickly spread into thehallway 304 and the temperature in the hallway 304 will rapidly increaseto an untenable level before the occupant can escape from the bedroom308. Consequently, the occupant in the bedroom 308 should not escapethrough the door 334. Instead, the signaling device in the bedroom 308can select a modeled egress strategy from the list that leads theoccupant out through a window 342 in the bedroom 308.

In a scenario such as that depicted in FIGS. 3A-C, if all occupants areon the second level of the house 300 when the fire 301 is on the firstlevel 302, signaling devices on the second level can work together todetermine which egress strategy is optimal for all occupants to exitsafely together. This determination can depend on the number ofoccupants on the second level, their ages and physical abilities, and aparticular layout of rooms on the second level. Signaling devices indifferent rooms can select the same egress strategy out of the house 300but can provide occupants in each of the rooms with particularinstructions to exit those rooms and meet, for example, in the hallway304 to finish exiting together. For example, this would be advantageouswhere a disabled occupant needs help egressing out of the house 300.

In other scenarios, one occupant can receive instructions from asignaling device that direct the occupant to another occupant who isdisabled or in need of some form of assistance to safely egress out ofthe house 300 (refer to FIG. 1 ). The signaling devices can identifywhich occupants are in what rooms in real-time. The disclosed system canaccess information stored about each of the occupants. That storedinformation can form profiles for each occupant of the house 300 and caninclude an age of the occupant, any disabilities, an agility level, etc.The signaling devices and/or the disclosed system can use suchinformation (e.g., occupant profiles) to determine how each occupant cansafely egress from the house 300 and whether that occupant would needassistance from another occupant in the house 300. If assistance wouldbe needed, the disclosed system can determine egress strategies thatinvolve one or more occupants getting to and assisting the disabledoccupant out of the house 300, both safely and quickly. Based on thesedeterminations, the signaling devices can receive such egress strategiesand their associated instructions. During a fire scenario, the signalingdevices can then select an optimal egress strategy, whether it requiresoccupants to egress individually, in pairs, and/or in teams, and providethe associated instructions to occupants in the house 300.

In implementations where an infant or toddler is in the house 300, asignaling device can select the appropriate egress strategy that willaccount for, and instruct, an occupant to get the infant or toddler andsafely exit together. In yet other implementations, visitor information(e.g., age, agility level, familiarity with the house 300, disabilities,etc.) can be provided to the disclosed system. This information can beprovided by an occupant of the house 300 via a user computing device, asignaling device, and/or the hub 310. Once the visitor information isreceived by the disclosed system, the disclosed system can use suchinformation to determine potential egress strategies for that visitorand whether the visitor would need assistance to egress in the event ofa fire.

In yet other scenarios (not depicted), the signaling device 314E mayselect the second strategy 318 but something that is unpredicted canoccur, such as the window 338 blowing out in the time it took theoccupant 350 to get out of the bed. If such an unpredicted event was notpreviously predicted and considered in determining which egress strategyto select in real-time, then the signaling device 314E can make acorrection and select a new egress strategy within seconds. In thiscase, where the signaling device 314E initially selected the secondstrategy 318, the signaling device can now make a selection correctionand select the first strategy 312. In that case, the signaling device314E can provide updated instructions to guide the occupant 350 out thefront door rather than through the window. Regardless, the use ofpredictive analytics, an abundance of data, and AI in the system andtechniques described throughout this disclosure greatly reduce the needfor correcting an egress strategy selection in real-time.

Still referring to FIG. 3A, once the signaling device 314E selects anegress strategy (in this case, it is the second strategy 318), theoccupant 350 is instructed by the signaling device 314E to “exit theroom through the window” (316). In this example, the outputtedinstructions are verbally communicated to the occupant 350. In otherimplementations, the outputted instructions can be communicated to theoccupant 350 by using lights and/or LED strips that illuminate a pathout of the house 300. In this example, multiple other signaling devicescan also produce audio outputs to remind the occupant 350 to exitthrough the window 338 (i.e., signaling device 314C in the hallway 304verbally outputs “Go back to your room and exit through the window”(320), signaling device 314A near the stairs 303 verbally outputs “Thefire will spread. Go back to your room and exit through the window”(324), and the hub 310 on the first level 302 near the front door 330verbally outputs “Fire on the first level!”). This is beneficial in theevent that the occupant 350 leaves the bedroom 306 despite instructionssignaling for the occupant 350 to leave through the window 338 in thebedroom 306. FIGS. 3A-C indicate examples of outputted instructions butin each implementation of the disclosed system, the instructions canvary, as demonstrated.

The signaling devices 314A-E can emit multi-colored, strobing, LED(Light Emitting Diode) laser light, and can be mounted low, at exitpoints (i.e., door, window) in each room. LED guiding lights can bemounted low in outlet-type components and/or along pathways leading toegresses from the house 300. As mentioned, the signaling devices 314A-Ecan also emit various audio and visual cues to occupants, for example.For instance, the signaling device 314E can include flashing lights thatmay indicate a direction the occupant 350 is to take to proceed to (orstay on) the selected egress strategy 318 out the window 338. A seriesof flashing lights (i.e., in a hallway) can also indicate a presence anddirection of the selected egress strategy. Moreover, the signalingdevices 314A-E can be placed on doors and windows to indicate thepresence of respective doors and windows and to indicate whether a givendoor or window is part of an egress route. Different colors can indicateinclusion or exclusion of a given door, window, or pathway on an egressroute.

For example, a flashing red signal (i.e., a red “X”) on a doorway mayindicate that the doorway is to be avoided (and the door kept shut). Inthe implementation depicted in FIG. 3A, the signaling device 314D orsignaling device 314E can project a flashing red “X” over the door 332so that the occupant 350 understands not to exit the bedroom 306. Inanother implementation, a flashing green light may indicate that a givendoor, window, or path segment is part of the selected egress route. Inthe example of FIG. 3A, the signaling device 314E can project theflashing green light on the window 338 to instruct the occupant 350 thathe must exit through that window 338.

Audio instructions that are outputted by the signaling devices 314A-Ecan include a fire status description (i.e. “a fire has been detecteddownstairs”), directional clues (i.e. “go out of the door and to yourleft”), or more detailed instructions (i.e. “place a wet towel under thedoor and leave the door closed”). Audio instructions can be specific tothe particular room in which an audio signaling device is located, basedon the location of the room, the location of the detected fire, and aselected egress strategy.

Other types of signaling instructions and corresponding signals can begenerated in the house 300. For example, information can be sent tomobile devices of occupants of the house 300 that directs the occupantsto and on the selected egress route(s). The hub 310, secondarymonitoring systems, and/or an application running on a mobile device mayknow where the mobile device (and associated user) are within the house300, with respect to the fire 301 and the selected egress route(s). Suchknowledge can be used to tailor instructions that are sent to anddisplayed (or played) on a given mobile device.

Other devices in the home may receive and present information related tothe fire 301 and recommended evacuation of the house 300. For example,the hub 310 can communicate with various computing devices or displayslocated within the house 300. For example, the hub 310 can sendinformation or signaling instructions to one or more desktop computingdevices, smart televisions, or other devices located within the house300. The computing devices can be configured to display information(i.e., a fire warning, egress route information), based on informationreceived from the hub 310. In some implementations, the hub 310 canremotely control (i.e., turn on) devices that include a display, andinstruct the devices to display (and/or play) information useful forevacuation of the home 300, such as egress route information that isspecific to the location of the fire 301 and the location of therespective device (i.e., a smart television in the lower level 302 maydisplay different information from a smart television in the bedroom306)

FIG. 3B is a depiction of the house 300 at time t=1. This exampledemonstrates where a hypothetical occupant 370 would be had he taken thefirst predicted egress strategy 312 to exit through the front door 330of the house 300. As depicted, the fire 301 has moved closer to thefront door 330. Therefore, the signaling device 314E accuratelypredicted, at time t=0, where the fire 301 would spread at time t=1 tothen select the optimal egress strategy (the second strategy 318 out thewindow 338) to safely exit the house 300.

FIG. 3C is a depiction of the house 300 at time t=2. This exampledemonstrates that, at time t=2, the hypothetical occupant 370 would berunning into the fire 301 that has now spread to the stairs 303 had thehypothetical occupant 370 been instructed to take the first predictedegress strategy 312 to exit through the front door 330. However, at timet=2, the occupant 350 has safely exited the house 300 through the window338 by following the signaling device 314E's instructions 352 that areassociated with the selected second egress strategy 318.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of yet another example floor map forwhich a predicted egress strategy is selected and used during anemergency. This figure is another implementation of the scenariodepicted in FIGS. 3A-C. In this implementation, a hub 410 can determine,and communicate to signaling devices 418A-E, that a fire 414 is blockinga stairway 403. The signaling device 418E can select egress strategy 424from a list of preloaded, predicted egress strategies associated withexiting bedroom 406 and instruct an occupant 481 in the bedroom 406 toexit through window 430. The occupant 481 can receive an audio message426 from the signaling device 418E that instructs the occupant 481 aboutwhat to do as part of the selected egress strategy 424. For example, theaudio message 426 can direct the occupant 481 to use a ladder, ifavailable, to exit through the window 430. If the ladder is notavailable, the audio message 426 can direct the occupant 481 to get awet towel, place it under a door 428, close the door 428 (and notsubsequently open it), and signal firefighters from a window (i.e. thewindow 430). These types of audio instructions are beneficial inscenarios in which the occupant 481 is in a room on a second level ofthe house 400 and the occupant 481 cannot safely egress down the stairs403. These audio instructions are also beneficial in scenarios in whichfire fighters and/or other emergency assistance is on its way to helpthe occupant 481.

Referring back to the example where the signaling device 418E instructsthe occupant 481 about getting the wet towel, based on known locationsof the fire 414 and a bathroom 409, the signaling device 418E candetermine that the occupant 481 has time and access to retrieve the wettowel before closing the door 428. The signaling device 418E may alsoknow that the door 428 is currently open (i.e., based on informationprovided by one or more sensors surrounding the door 428), and candirect the occupant 481 to get the wet towel based on the door 428 beingcurrently open. If the signaling device 418E knows that the door 428 iscurrently closed, it can play an audio message that directs the occupant481 to keep the door 428 closed.

Other signals can be emitted in the bedroom 406 to direct the occupant481 on what to do during the emergency. For example, the signalingdevice 418E and a signaling device 418D can direct the occupant 481towards the window 430 by emitting directional lights as disclosedthroughout this disclosure. Further, devices 436 and 438 can also emitsignals to indicate the presence of the window 430 (i.e., flashinglights, symbols above the window 430 indicating that the window 430 isthe appropriate exit, green lights to indicate that the occupant 481should go through the window 430, etc.).

Guidance similar to that provided in the bedroom 406 can be provided inother rooms throughout the house 400. For example, devices 440 and 442and 444 and 446 can indicate the presence of a window 448 or a window450, respectively. Signaling device 418C can emit a directional signaldirecting occupants to the window 448 and the window 450, and can playan audio recording (i.e., messages, instructions, etc.) that directsoccupants to not use the stairway 403. A device 456 can also emit asignal indicating that a door 458 is not part of a selected egressroute. As previously mentioned, each signaling device can select anegress strategy from the list of predicted, preloaded egress strategiesassociated with the room that each signaling device is located in.Therefore, in the example above, the signaling device 418C located in abedroom 408 can select an egress strategy from the list of predictedstrategies associated with the bedroom 408 that directs an occupant inthe bedroom 408 out through the window 450. The signaling device 418Ccan use the same current conditions collected from other signalingdevices and sensors throughout the house 400 as the signaling device418E in the bedroom 406 to determine that an egress strategy out throughthe door 458 and down the stairway 403 would not be the optimal andsafest exit route. Therefore, the signaling device 418C can select theegress strategy associated with the bedroom 408 that directs theoccupant out the window 450, just like the signaling device 418Eselected the egress strategy 424 associated with the bedroom 406 thatdirects the occupant 481 out the window 430.

Other signals can be played throughout the house 400. For example,signaling device 418B in a hallway 405 can play an audio messages 466directing occupants to not use the stairway 403. A device 468 can alsoplay an audio message 470 directing occupants to not enter a lower level402. The various signals played by various devices in the house 400 canbe emitted in response to egress strategies that each of the signalingdevices 418A-E select.

In some implementations, as depicted in FIG. 4 , fire fighter or othersafety personnel can receive information provided by the hub 410. Thehub 410 can send information to a fire fighter system or device and/orto a cloud service to enable the fire fighter system or device toretrieve the information from the cloud service. In someimplementations, any of the signaling devices locate in the house 400can transmit information and communicate with the fire fighter system.Information obtained from the hub 410 can be displayed, for example, ona fire fighter device 472, which can be a mobile device, as shown (i.e.,in a fire truck 474 that is en route to the house 400).

The fire truck 474 may be en route, based on receiving an alarm from thehub 410. Information 476 displayed on the fire fighter device 472includes fire location and stairway blockage information 478, number andlocation of occupants 480 (i.e., for an occupant 481), last occupantmovement information 482, status 484 of doors and windows in the house400, a timeframe 486 of when last audio instructions were played foroccupants in the house 400, and an entrance suggestion 488 so that thesafety personnel know how to safely enter the house 400. In addition oralternatively, the information 476 can include location(s) of firehydrants. The information 476 can be used by the fire fighters to betterrespond to the fire situation in the house 400 and to safely enter thehouse 400.

The number and location of occupants 480 and the last occupant movementinformation 482 can be generated based on motion detection devices inthe house 400. Such devices can be integrating into the signalingdevices 418A-E or can be standalone/independent devices, such as devices436, 438, 440, 442, 444, and 446. Fire fighters can tailor theiremergency response based on information that indicates who may be in thehouse 400 and where they are located. Occupant movement information canbe generated and sent to a cloud service, on a periodic basis, forexample. Security measures can be implemented so that occupant movementinformation is only accessed by authorized personnel, and optionally,only in cases of an emergency (i.e., only fire fighters can viewoccupant status information and only after an alarm has been receivedfrom the hub 410 or any of the signaling devices 418A-E). For somecases, the hub 410 may know that no occupant movement has been detected,i.e., within the last forty-eight hours, which may indicate that thehouse 400 is not occupied. Such information can be shared with the firefighter system, so that fire fighters know that the house 400 may not beoccupied and thus can determine whether they need to endanger themselvesby entering the house 400 (or a certain level of the house 400).

In some scenarios (not depicted), the house 400 can be vacant but thefire fighters still need to enter the house 400 to extinguish the firebefore it spreads to other buildings, structures, and/or surroundingarea(s). Consequently, the disclosed system can assist the fire fightersin assessing the danger of entering the burning house 400. For example,thermocouples and/or other types of sensing devices (e.g., smokedetectors, temperature readers, etc.) placed throughout the house 400can be used to capture real-time conditions of a fire as it spreadsthrough the house 400. The captured real-time conditions can be used bythe disclosed system to determine whether the fire has spread.Consequently, the disclosed system can use this information to determinewhich windows, doors, exits, and/or entry points are still open and safeoptions for fire fighters to use when entering the house 400. Uponmaking this determination, the disclosed system can provide the possibleentry points to the fire fighter system disclosed throughout and thefire fighters can then choose an entry point to safely enter the house400. While the fire fighters are in transit to the house 400, the firefighter system can also receive a floorplan for the house 400 from thedisclosed system. The fire fighter system can also receive real-timeupdates about the fire pathway so that the fire fighters can use thisinformation to determine which entrance to take into the house 400. Itis also possible that the fire fighter system can automaticallydetermine which entrance to take into the house 400 and then providethat information along with associated instructions to the firefighters. Moreover, predictive analytics and AI can be used to predictflashovers. Flashovers are caused by radiative heat transfer fromignited materials in the interior of a room to its bounding surfaces inwhich pyrolysis on those surfaces releases particles and gases leadingto sudden explosion. Therefore, by predicting where and when in thehouse 400 there may be flashovers, the disclosed systems can betterdetermine an optimal and safe strategy/pathway for the fire fighters toenter the house 400. This can be beneficial to fire fighters whetherthey are entering a vacant burning house to prevent the fire fromspreading and/or entering a burning house to save its occupants.

Referring back to FIG. 4 , the fire fighter system can share informationwith the hub 410 and the signaling devices 418A-E, and the hub 410 maytailor guidance based on the received information. For example, anestimated fire fighter response time may be sent by a fire fightersystem in response to an alarm received from the hub 410. The hub 410and/or each of the signaling devices 418A-E can receive the estimatedfire fighter response time. Based on the estimated response time, one ormore of the signaling deices 418A-E can output additional instructionsto the occupants (i.e., occupant 481). For example, if the expectedresponse time is less than a threshold amount (i.e., less than twominutes), the signaling device 418E can play an audio message thatdirects the occupant 481 to open the window 430 and wave something outthe window 430 to attract fire fighter attention. In otherimplementations, the signaling device 418E can be configured to startplaying a sound or audio message to draw attention of fire fightersbased on an estimated fire fighter response time. Estimated responsetimes may be dynamically received, as mentioned, or may be predeterminedand available to the signaling devices 418A-E and the hub 410 before theemergency.

Occupant movement information and information about known occupants maybe used by signaling devices 418A-E to tailor guidance to occupants inthe house 400. For example, if an occupant is detected in a room (i.e.the occupant is still sleeping), then one or more signaling devices418A-E can play audio messages in other rooms that indicate that theoccupant may still be in a particular room and in need of assistance. Inyet other implementations, and as previously discussed, informationabout known occupants can be used by the signaling devices 418A-E todetermine a selection of the optimal egress strategy from the list ofpredicted, preloaded egress strategies.

In some implementations, after fire fighter arrival, movement of firefighters within the house 400 can be determined by movement detectiondevices in the house 400. Location information of fire fighters (andoccupants) can be made available to and presented on the fire fighterdevice 472, for assisting the fire fighter team during the emergencyresponse.

The entrance suggestion 488 can be determined by the signaling devices418A-Es' selection of optimal egress strategies. For example, in FIG. 4, the signaling device 418E selected egress strategy 424 as the optimalegress strategy for the occupant 481 out of the bedroom 406. Theinstructions outputted by the signaling device 418E prompt the occupant481 to exit through the window 430 if there is a ladder and if there isnot, to wave something out of the window 430 to attract the attention offire fighters. The signaling device 418E communicates with the firefighter device 472 that the occupant 481 will be exiting through thebedroom window 430 (entrance suggestion 488). Receiving this informationat the fire fighter device 472 makes for faster and safer response timeduring an emergency. In other words, when fire fighters arrive at thehouse 400, they will not have to spend valuable time determining what isthe best entrance into the burning house 400 and where the occupant 481is located in the house 400. In scenarios where a signaling device mustmake one course correction, the information about the entrancesuggestion 488 can be updated and transmitted to the fire fighter device472 in real-time such that no time is lost for the fire fighters tosafely assist the occupant 481. In some implementations, as depicted inFIG. 4 , the entrance suggestion 488 can also provide some sort ofindicator to make it easier for the fire fighters to identify theentrance point when they arrive at the scene. For example, in FIG. 4 ,the fire fighter device 472 receives information that the bedroom windowis open. In other examples, the device 472 can receive information aboutwhat corner/area/front/back/side of the house 400 that the fire fightersshould enter, what level of the house 400, whether a door or window isopen or closed, whether something is coming out of the door or window toindicate it as an entrance, whether lights emitted from inside the house400 indicate an entrance (i.e., LED light strips attached on top of themolding of a window), etc.

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of an example technique for predicting egressstrategies and selecting the optimal egress strategy during anemergency. The technique described can be performed by the predictivepathway server 100 and each of the signaling devices 108A-D of FIG. 1 .First, in step 502, the server receives home layout and user occupantinformation. As discussed, this information can be inputted by occupantsthrough the hub device (refer to FIG. 1 step A). This information canalso be transmitted directly to the server by a homebuilder when thehouse is being constructed and/or when the signaling devices and hub arebeing installed in the house.

Next, in step 504, the server can simulate fire scenarios in the housebased on the information received in step 502 (refer to FIG. 1 , stepB). The server also performs predictive analytics on an ability foroccupants to safely egress from rooms in the home in step 506 (refer toFIG. 1 , step C). Based on the simulations and predictive analytics, theserver can then model egress strategies in step 508 (refer to FIG. 1 ,step D). As previously described, the server can create a list of egressstrategies for each room in the house that are based on the ability ofoccupants in the house to safely egress from the house during anemergency.

Once egress strategies are modeled, the server can model signalinginstructions that are associated with each of the modeled egressstrategies in step 510 (refer to FIG. 1 , step E). In this step, theserver can create both audio and visual signaling instructions or one orthe other. Next, in step 512, the server can transmit the modeled egressstrategies and associated signaling instructions to each signalingdevice (refer to FIG. 1 , step F). Each signaling device receives thelist of modeled egress strategies and signaling instructions that areassociated with the particular room that the signaling device is locatedin (514). For example, if the signaling device is located in thekitchen, then it will only receive a list of predicted egress strategiesand signaling instructions for an occupant to exit from the kitchen.Likewise, if the signaling device is located in a first bedroom, thatsignaling device will receive a list of egress strategies and associatedsignaling instructions for an occupant to exit from the first bedroom.

Once each signaling device preloads the list of egress strategies, thesignaling devices can receive current conditions in real-time in step516 (refer to FIG. 1 , step G). As previously discussed, each signalingdevice can detect current conditions itself and/or it can communicate,wireless or wired, with the hub, other signaling devices, and/or otherdevices in the house (i.e., smart thermostat, temperature sensors, smokedetector, motion detector, etc.) about current conditions in any room inthe house. Based on the current conditions, for example, a fire startedin the kitchen, the signaling device can select an optimal egressstrategy from the preloaded list of egress strategies in step 518 (referto FIG. 1 , step H). The primary goal is that due to the simulations andpredictive analytics performed beforehand by the server in steps504-506, the signaling devices can select the optimal egress strategieswithout having to correct those selections in real-time.

Once an egress strategy is selected, the signaling device outputs theselected egress strategy based on the associated signaling instructionsin step 520 (refer to FIG. 1 , Step I). As discussed, the signalingdevice can emit a signal, such as lights and/or audio, that indicate tothe occupant the directions to take to exit the home quickly and safely.

FIG. 6 is an example apparatus 600 for providing emergency guidance andadvisement in accordance with this present disclosure. In thisimplementation, the apparatus 600 is configured as an electrical poweroutlet that includes one or more receptacles 601. The apparatus 600 canbe configured to include a user detection device, a fire detectiondevice, and a signaling device (i.e., signaling devices 108A-D in FIG. 1), which are devices depicted in the previous figures. In otherimplementations, the apparatus 600 can be configured to implement one ormore of the user detection device, the fire detection device, and thesignaling device, with or without other functionalities.

The apparatus 600 includes a user detector 602, a fire detector 604, acommunication device 606, a speaker 608, and a display device 610. Theuser detector 602 can be configured for, or be part of, the userdetection device. For example, the user detector 602 operates to detectuser motion or presence around the apparatus 600 over time. The usermotion or presence can be recorded locally in the apparatus 600 and/orin one or more remote computing devices. As described herein, the userdetector 602 can be of various types, such as motion sensors andcameras. In addition or alternatively, the user detector 602 can includea door/window sensor, door/window locks, etc.

The fire detector 604 can be configured for, or be part of, the firedetection device, and operates to detect presence and location of fire.Information on the fire presence and location can be recorded locally inthe apparatus 600 and/or in one or more remote computing devices. Asdescribed herein, the fire detector 604 can be of various types, such asa smoke detector and a heat sensor (i.e., a temperature sensor, aninfrared sensor, etc.).

The communication device 606 is included in the apparatus 600 andconfigured to enable data communication with the hub and other signalingdevices. The communication device 606 can include a wireless or wireddata communication interface.

The speaker 608 and the display device 610 can be configured for, or bepart of, the signaling device. The speaker 608 operates to generatesounds, such as audible cues, horns, or verbal messages for egressguidance. The speaker 608 can be used to supplement other fixed audiodevices or act as a substitute if fixed audio devices are notfunctioning. Such sounds can complement visual signs in situations wheresmoke intensity can diminish or preclude the ability to see the visualsigns. The display device 610 operates to display visual signs that canguide a user along a selected egress route. In some implementations, thedisplay device 610 includes a display screen that is provided in theapparatus 600 and displays information with visual signs thereon. Inaddition or alternatively, the display device 610 operates as aprojector that projects a lighted sign on another object, such as awall, a floor, or a ceiling. In the illustrated example, the displaydevice 610 projects a lighted arrow 612 on the floor to guide thedirection in the selected egress route.

FIG. 7 is another example apparatus 630 for providing emergency guidanceand advisement in accordance with this present disclosure. The apparatus630 is configured similar to the apparatus 600 except that the apparatus630 is implemented as an electrical switch having a switch button 632.Similar to the apparatus 600, the apparatus 630 can include at least oneof the user detector 602, the fire detector 604, the communicationdevice 606, the speaker 608, and the display device 610. As theapparatus 630 is similar to the apparatus 600, the description of theapparatus 600 is incorporated by reference with respect to the apparatus630.

FIG. 8A depicts another example system for providing emergency guidanceand advisement. The signaling device 108 of FIGS. 1-2 is used as anexample in FIG. 8A. The signaling device 108 can be a singular device,as depicted in FIG. 8A, or it can optionally be spread out physicallywith separate components that can be in wired or wireless communicationwith each other (refer to FIG. 8B). In this example in FIG. 8A, thesignaling device 108 includes a light signaling component 830, an audiosignaling component 840, and a signaling controller 852. In someimplementations, the signaling controller 852 can have a one-to-oneratio of communication. Alternatively, in some implementations, thesignaling device 852 can have a one-to-multiple ratio of communication.The audio signaling component 840 and/or the light signaling component830 can optionally be integrated into/part of a same housing unit and/orcircuit board as each other, the signaling controller 852, and/or theentire signaling device 108 as a whole. Alternatively, and in somepreferred implementations, each of the components in FIG. 8A, 830, 840,and 852 , can be housed separately (i.e., separate devices; refer toFIG. 8B). In yet other implementations, the controller 852 can be in thesame housing with the light signaling component 830 and the audiosignaling component 840 can be housed separately. In otherimplementations, the controller 852 and the audio signaling component840 can share the same housing unit/circuit board while the lightsignaling component 830 is arranged separately. Moreover, in someimplementations, the components 830 and 840 can be housed in the sameunit and the signaling controller 852 can be housed separately.

In the example of FIG. 8A, the components 830 and 840 are housed in thesame unit (i.e., the signaling device 108) as the signaling controller852. Optionally, the signaling device 108 can have an external powersupply 870 (i.e., lithium battery). The signaling device 108 can alsoreceive fire signals from the hub device 106 as described throughoutthis disclosure (refer to FIGS. 1-2 ). The signaling controller 852 cancommunicate directly with the light signaling component 830 as well asthe audio signaling component 840.

The signaling controller 852 can include a predetermined signaling logic854, a predetermined output logic 856, a temperature sensor 858, and auser presence sensor 860, as previously discussed in reference to FIG. 2. In some implementations, the controller 852 may not have sensors 858and 860, and can instead collect sensor information regarding atemperature and/or user presence from sensors placed throughout thehouse and/or other signaling devices in the house. The controller 852further can include a communications interface 862 to facilitatecommunication (i.e., wired or wireless) with the other components, 830and 840, comprising the signaling device 108. The communicationsinterface 862 can also facilitate communication between the signalingdevice 108, the hub device 106, other signaling devices throughout thehouse, and sensors in the house. The signaling controller 852 can alsooptionally include a power source 864 (i.e., battery) in order to powerthe signaling controller 852 and/or the signaling device 108.

The light signaling component 830 can include a light source 832, acontroller 834, a communications interface 836, and an optional powersource 838. The light source 832 can be any form of lighting, includingbut not limited to an LED light strip (refer to FIG. 8B). The lightsource 832 can emit different colors, patterns, symbols based onsignaling instructions communicated to the light signaling component 830by the signaling controller 852. The controller 834 can be configured toactivate the light source 832 based on receiving an activationsignal/instruction from the signaling controller 852. The communicationsinterface 836 is configured to allow the light signaling component 830to communicate with the signaling controller 852. As mentioned, thepower source 838 can power the light signaling component 830. In someimplementations, the component 830 may not include the power source 838and can instead rely on power from the external power supply 870 thatprovides power to the signaling device 108 as a whole.

The audio signaling component 840 can include a speaker 842, acontroller 844, a communications interface 846, stored audio signals848, and an optional power source 850. The speaker 842 can be any formor mechanism to output audio cues/instructions (refer to FIG. 8B). Thespeaker 842 can emit audio/verbal instructions to a user in the housebased on signaling instructions communicated to the audio signalingcomponent 840 by the signaling controller 852. The controller 844 can beconfigured to activate the speaker 842 based on receiving an activationsignal/instruction from the signaling controller 852. The communicationsinterface 846 is configured to allow the audio signaling component 840to communicate with the signaling controller 852. The audio signalingcomponent 840 can further include the stored audio signals 848, whichcan include a plurality of verbal instructions that are associated witheach possible egress strategy out of a room that the signaling device108 is located within. Therefore, when the signaling controller 852transmits an activation signal to the audio signaling component 840, theactivation signal can indicate which of the stored audio signals fromthe stored audio signals 848 should be played. Then, the controller 844can activate the speaker 842 by having the speaker output the selectedaudio signals from the stored audio signals 848. As mentioned, the powersource 850 can power the audio signaling component 840. In someimplementations, the component 840 may not include the power source 850and can instead rely on power from the external power supply 870 thatprovides power to the signaling device 108 as a whole.

FIG. 8B depicts an example system for providing emergency guidance andadvisement. In this example room 800, a door 802 is fitted with a firstLED strip 812. The first LED strip 812 can be attached on top of amolding of the door 802 or anywhere else along a perimeter of the door802. A window 804 is also fitted with a second LED strip 810, which canbe attached on top of a molding of the window 804 or anywhere else alonga perimeter of the window 804. This way, the first and second LED strips812 and 810 are not visible to an occupant or at least are notprominently displayed in the room 800.

In this example, a signaling device 806 is also configured to a wall ofthe room 800. The signaling device 806 can be retrofitted into anexisting socket in the wall. In other implementations, the signalingdevice 806 can be a plug-in that is inputted into an outlet in the room800. Here, the signaling device 806 supports audio output. Thus, thesignaling device 806 communicates with the first and second LED strips812 and 810 to display additional and/or alternative signals to anoccupant during an emergency. The strips 812 and 810 and the signalingdevice 806 can communicate through a wired and/or wireless connection,as previously discussed throughout this disclosure, wherein acommunication signal (i.e., activation signal) between the signalingdevice 806 and the first LED strip 812 is signal 820B and acommunication signal between the signaling device 806 and the second LEDstrip 810 is signal 820A. During an emergency and once the signalingdevice 806 selects an optimal egress strategy, the signaling device 806can communicate visual signaling instructions to the first and secondLED strips 812 and 810 via the signals 820B and 820A, respectively.

For example, if the selected egress strategy requires the occupant toexit through the door 802, the signaling device 806 can prompt (i.e.,send an activating signal) the first LED strip 812 to turn green, depictarrows, and/or flash. The signaling device 806 can also prompt thesecond LED strip 810 to turn red and/or depict “X” signals so that theoccupant understands not to exit through the window 804. The signalingdevice 806 can optionally output audio messages instructing the occupantabout how to exit in addition to the first and second LED strips 812 and810 displaying visual signals for exiting the room 800.

The computing devices described in this document that may be used toimplement the systems, techniques, machines, and/or apparatuses canoperate as clients and/or servers, and can include one or more of avariety of appropriate computing devices, such as laptops, desktops,workstations, servers, blade servers, mainframes, mobile computingdevices (e.g., PDAs, cellular telephones, smartphones, and/or othersimilar computing devices), computer storage devices (e.g., UniversalSerial Bus (USB) flash drives, RFID storage devices, solid state harddrives, hard-disc storage devices), and/or other similar computingdevices. For example, USB flash drives may store operating systems andother applications, and can include input/output components, such aswireless transmitters and/or USB connectors that may be inserted into aUSB port of another computing device.

Such computing devices may include one or more of the followingcomponents: processors, memory (e.g., random access memory (RAM) and/orother forms of volatile memory), storage devices (e.g., solid-state harddrive, hard disc drive, and/or other forms of non-volatile memory),high-speed interfaces connecting various components to each other (e.g.,connecting one or more processors to memory and/or to high-speedexpansion ports), and/or low speed interfaces connecting variouscomponents to each other (e.g., connecting one or more processors to alow speed bus and/or storage devices). Such components can beinterconnected using various busses, and may be mounted across one ormore motherboards that are communicatively connected to each other, orin other appropriate manners. In some implementations, computing devicescan include pluralities of the components listed above, including aplurality of processors, a plurality of memories, a plurality of typesof memories, a plurality of storage devices, and/or a plurality ofbuses. A plurality of computing devices can be connected to each otherand can coordinate at least a portion of their computing resources toperform one or more operations, such as providing a multi-processorcomputer system, a computer server system, and/or a cloud-based computersystem.

Processors can process instructions for execution within computingdevices, including instructions stored in memory and/or on storagedevices. Such processing of instructions can cause various operations tobe performed, including causing visual, audible, and/or hapticinformation to be output by one or more input/output devices, such as adisplay that is configured to output graphical information, such as agraphical user interface (GUI). Processors can be implemented as achipset of chips that include separate and/or multiple analog anddigital processors. Processors may be implemented using any of a numberof architectures, such as a CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computers)processor architecture, a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)processor architecture, and/or a MISC (Minimal Instruction Set Computer)processor architecture. Processors may provide, for example,coordination of other components computing devices, such as control ofuser interfaces, applications that are run by the devices, and wirelesscommunication by the devices.

Memory can store information within computing devices, includinginstructions to be executed by one or more processors. Memory caninclude a volatile memory unit or units, such as synchronous RAM (e.g.,double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM),DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, DDR4 SDRAM), asynchronous RAM (e.g., fast pagemode dynamic RAM (FPM DRAM), extended data out DRAM (EDO DRAM)),graphics RAM (e.g., graphics DDR4 (GDDR4), GDDR5). In someimplementations, memory can include a non-volatile memory unit or units(e.g., flash memory). Memory can also be another form ofcomputer-readable medium, such as magnetic and/or optical disks.

Storage devices can be capable of providing mass storage for computingdevices and can include a computer-readable medium, such as a floppydisk device, a hard disk device, an optical disk device, a Microdrive,or a tape device, a flash memory or other similar solid state memorydevice, or an array of devices, including devices in a storage areanetwork or other configurations. Computer program products can betangibly embodied in an information carrier, such as memory, storagedevices, cache memory within a processor, and/or other appropriatecomputer-readable medium. Computer program products may also containinstructions that, when executed by one or more computing devices,perform one or more methods or techniques, such as those describedabove.

High speed controllers can manage bandwidth-intensive operations forcomputing devices, while the low speed controllers can manage lowerbandwidth-intensive operations.

Such allocation of functions is exemplary only. In some implementations,a high-speed controller is coupled to memory, display (e.g., through agraphics processor or accelerator), and to high-speed expansion ports,which may accept various expansion cards; and a low-speed controller iscoupled to one or more storage devices and low-speed expansion ports,which may include various communication ports (e.g., USB, Bluetooth,Ethernet, wireless Ethernet) that may be coupled to one or moreinput/output devices, such as keyboards, pointing devices (e.g., mouse,touchpad, track ball), printers, scanners, copiers, digital cameras,microphones, displays, haptic devices, and/or networking devices such asswitches and/or routers (e.g., through a network adapter).

Displays may include any of a variety of appropriate display devices,such as TFT (Thin-Film-Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) displays, OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays, touchscreen devices, presencesensing display devices, and/or other appropriate display technology.Displays can be coupled to appropriate circuitry for driving thedisplays to output graphical and other information to a user.

Expansion memory may also be provided and connected to computing devicesthrough one or more expansion interfaces, which may include, forexample, a SIMM (Single In Line Memory Module) card interfaces. Suchexpansion memory may provide extra storage space for computing devicesand/or may store applications or other information that is accessible bycomputing devices. For example, expansion memory may includeinstructions to carry out and/or supplement the techniques describedabove, and/or may include secure information (e.g., expansion memory mayinclude a security module and may be programmed with instructions thatpermit secure use on a computing device).

Computing devices may communicate wirelessly through one or morecommunication interfaces, which may include digital signal processingcircuitry when appropriate. Communication interfaces may provide forcommunications under various modes or protocols, such as GSM voicecalls, messaging protocols (e.g., SMS, EMS, or MMS messaging), CDMA,TDMA, PDC, WCDMA, CDMA2000, GPRS, 4G protocols (e.g., 4G LTE), and/orother appropriate protocols. Such communication may occur, for example,through one or more radio-frequency transceivers. In addition,short-range communication may occur, such as using a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi,or other such transceivers. In addition, a GPS (Global PositioningSystem) receiver module may provide additional navigation andlocation-related wireless data to computing devices, which may be usedas appropriate by applications running on computing devices.

Computing devices may also communicate audibly using one or more audiocodecs, which may receive spoken information from a user and convert itto usable digital information. Such audio codecs may additionallygenerate audible sound for a user, such as through one or more speakersthat are part of or connected to a computing device. Such sound mayinclude sound from voice telephone calls, may include recorded sound(e.g., voice messages, music files, etc.), and may also include soundgenerated by applications operating on computing devices.

Various implementations of the systems, devices, and techniquesdescribed here can be realized in digital electronic circuitry,integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application specificintegrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and/orcombinations thereof. These various implementations can includeimplementation in one or more computer programs that are executableand/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least oneprogrammable processor, which may be special or general purpose, coupledto receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data andinstructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and atleast one output device.

These computer programs (also known as programs, software, softwareapplications, or code) can include machine instructions for aprogrammable processor, and can be implemented in a high-levelprocedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or inassembly/machine language. As used herein, the terms “machine-readablemedium” “computer-readable medium” refers to any computer programproduct, apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks,memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machineinstructions and/or data to a programmable processor.

To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and techniquesdescribed here can be implemented on a computer having a display device(e.g., LCD display screen, LED display screen) for displayinginformation to users, a keyboard, and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse,a trackball, touchscreen) by which the user can provide input to thecomputer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interactionwith a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can beany form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback,and/or tactile feedback); and input from the user can be received in anyform, including acoustic, speech, and/or tactile input.

The systems and techniques described here can be implemented in acomputing system that includes a back end component (e.g., as a dataserver), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an applicationserver), or that includes a front end component (e.g., a client computerhaving a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a usercan interact with an implementation of the systems and techniquesdescribed here), or any combination of such back end, middleware, orfront end components. The components of the system can be interconnectedby any form or medium of digital data communication (e.g., acommunication network). Examples of communication networks include alocal area network (“LAN”), a wide area network (“WAN”), peer-to-peernetworks (having ad-hoc or static members), grid computinginfrastructures, and the Internet.

The computing system can include clients and servers. A client andserver are generally remote from each other and typically interactthrough a communication network. The relationship of client and serverarises by virtue of computer programs running on the respectivecomputers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

The above description provides examples of some implementations. Otherimplementations that are not explicitly described above are alsopossible, such as implementations based on modifications and/orvariations of the features described above. For example, the techniquesdescribed above may be implemented in different orders, with theinclusion of one or more additional steps, and/or with the exclusion ofone or more of the identified steps. Additionally, the steps andtechniques described above as being performed by some computing devicesand/or systems may alternatively, or additionally, be performed by othercomputing devices and/or systems that are described above or othercomputing devices and/or systems that are not explicitly described.Similarly, the systems, devices, and apparatuses may include one or moreadditional features, may exclude one or more of the identified features,and/or include the identified features combined in a different way thanpresented above. Features that are described as singular may beimplemented as a plurality of such features. Likewise, features that aredescribed as a plurality may be implemented as singular instances ofsuch features. The drawings are intended to be illustrative and may notprecisely depict some implementations. Variations in sizing, placement,shapes, angles, and/or the positioning of features relative to eachother are possible.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for determining egress guidance duringan emergency in a building using artificial intelligence (AI)techniques, the system comprising: a plurality of sensors positionedthroughout the building and configured to detect conditions in thebuilding; and a computing system configured to determine egress guidancein the building using AI techniques, wherein the computing systemperforms operations comprising: receiving, from the plurality ofsensors, information indicating the conditions in the building;detecting, based on processing the conditions in the receivedinformation, an emergency in the building; determining, based onapplying AI techniques to the received information, scenarios indicatinga plurality of potential spreads of the emergency in the building;generating, based on the determined scenarios in the building, egressguidance to assist users in safely egressing from the building, whereinthe egress guidance includes at least one egress strategy instructingthe users to move along a pathway in the building that avoids (i) theemergency and (ii) the plurality of potential spreads of the emergencyin the building; and returning the egress guidance for presentation tothe users in the building to assist the users to safely avoid theemergency.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein returning the egressguidance comprises transmitting instructions to a user device of a useramongst the users in the building that cause the user device to outputthe egress guidance at the user device.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein generating the egress guidance comprises: generatinginstructions for a user amongst the users to lead the users in safelyegressing according to the at least one egress strategy.
 4. The systemof claim 1, wherein generating the egress guidance comprises: generatingand returning instructions for a user amongst the users that directs theuser (i) to a location of the users and (ii) to lead the users from thelocation to safety according to the at least one egress strategy.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein: the users comprise at least one child, andreturning the egress guidance comprises transmitting the egress guidanceto a user device associated with the at least one child.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein returning the egress guidance comprises transmittinginstructions to an output device located within the building proximate alocation of the users, wherein the instructions cause the output deviceto output the egress guidance to the users.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein returning the egress guidance further comprises: determining,based on the received information, the location of the users in thebuilding; identifying the output device that is located within thebuilding proximate the determined location of the users; andtransmitting the instructions to the identified output device.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the computing system comprises a user deviceof at least one user amongst the users in the building.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the computing system is remote from the building. 10.The system of claim 1, wherein the computing system is located withinthe building.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise: generating, based on the determined scenarios in the building,a plurality of egress strategies, wherein the plurality of egressstrategies includes the egress guidance; and selecting an egressstrategy from amongst the plurality of egress strategies based at leastin part on continuously received information from the plurality ofsensors, the continuously received information indicating real-timeconditions in the building as the emergency progresses.
 12. The systemof claim 1, wherein generating the egress guidance further comprisesgenerating signaling instructions that are specific to the egressguidance.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein returning the egressguidance comprises returning instructions that cause a receiving deviceto visually or audibly output the egress guidance, wherein the receivingdevice comprises at least one of a user device of at least one useramongst the users, the computing system, and an output device in alocation proximate the users in the building.
 14. The system of claim13, wherein audibly outputting the egress guidance comprises describinga pathway to exit the building that corresponds to the egress guidance.15. The system of claim 13, wherein visually outputting the egressguidance comprises instructing LED lights to illuminate a pathway toexit the building corresponding to the egress guidance.
 16. The systemof claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors include motion sensors. 17.The system of claim 1, wherein the building is a school.
 18. The systemof claim 1, wherein the building is a residential building.
 19. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the building is at least one of an officebuilding and a retail building.
 20. A method for determining egressguidance during an emergency in a building using artificial intelligence(AI) techniques, the method comprising receiving, by a computing systemand from a plurality of sensors positioned throughout the building andconfigured to detect conditions in the building, information indicatingthe conditions in the building; detecting, by the computing system andbased on processing the conditions in the received information, anemergency in the building; determining, by the computing system andbased on applying AI techniques to the received information, scenariosindicating a plurality of potential spreads of the emergency in thebuilding; generating, by the computing system and based on thedetermined scenarios in the building, egress guidance to assist users insafely egressing from the building, wherein the egress guidance includesat least one egress strategy instructing the users to move along apathway in the building that avoids (i) the emergency and (ii) theplurality of potential spreads of the emergency in the building; andreturning, by the computing system, the egress guidance for presentationto the users in the building to assist the users to safely avoid theemergency.